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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



The Royal Mounted 



JECIL B. DEMILLE 




SAMUEL FRENCH, 28-30 West 38th St., New York 



The Royal Mounted 



A PLAY IN FOUR ACTS 



BY, 



CECIL B^De MILLE 



Copyright, 1920, by Samuel French 
All Rights Reserved 



CAUTION. — Professionals and Amateurs are hereby; 
warned that "THE ROYAL MOUNTED," being! 
fully protected under the copyright laws of the j 
United States, is subject to a royalty, and anyone j 
presenting the play without the consent of thei 
owner or his authorized agent will be liable to the ; 
penalties by law provided. Application for pro- j 
Sessional and amateur acting rights must be made ; 
to Samuel French, 28-30 West 38th St., New York. 1 



New York : 

SAMUEL FRENCH 

Publisher 

28-30 West 38th Street 



London : 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 

2(> Southampton Street 

Strand 



<p*& 






Especial notice should be taken that the possession of this 
book without a valid contract for production first hav- 
ing been obtained from the publisher confers no right 
or license to professionals or amateurs to produce the 
play publicly or in private for gain or charity. 

In its present form this play is dedicated to the reading 
public only and no performance of it may be given 
except by special arrangement with Samuel French, 
28-30 West Thirty-eighth Street, New York City. 

Section 28 — That any person who wilfully or for profit 
shall infringe any, copyright secured by this act, or 
who shall knowingly and wilfully aid or abet such in- 
fringement, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, 
and upon conviction shall be punished by imprison- 
ment for not exceeding one. year, or by a fine or not 
less than one hundred nor more than one thousand 
dollars, or both, in the discretion of the court. 

Act of March 4, igog. 



DEC -2 1920 

©OLD 56162 



3 

i 



CHARACTERS 

Victor O'Brian. .Sergeant of the Mounted Police 

* Major Buckland 

Sergeant of the Mounted Police 

* Corporal Radley 

Sergeant of the Mounted Police 

Sam Larabee A Guide and Trapper 

|oe Hamner. .A Lumberman — foreman of No. 13 

Long Jack "The Uncertain'' 

t Louis Trudeau "The Questioner' 9 

Antoine Bassette A Lumberman 

% Eastern A Lumberman 

* Orderly 

John Hickey U. S. Deputy 

Rosa Larabee Sam's Sister 

Mag Trudeau Louis' Sister 

* May be doubled. 
f May be doubled. 

j Eastern's lines may be given to Long Jack and 
the part cat altogether if necessary. 

SYNOPSIS OF SCENES 

ACT I. Mounted Police Headquarters at Cal- 
gary, Alberta, Canada. 

ACT II. Russell's Camp No. 13 on the Great 
Elk. Three days later. 

ACT III. Sam's cabin on the Great Elk. Three 
weeks later. 

ACT IV. Smoky Pass at Sunrise the following 
morning. 



The Royal Mounted 



ACT I 

Scene: Mounted Police Headquarters at Calgary, 
Alberta, Canada. A room, plain but well fur- 
nished. Maps, etc., cover the walls. A large 
flat-top desk c. with chair behind and on each 
side of it. r. against wall, a small table littered 
with papers. Chair before it and screen around 
it. Doors R.i. and l.i. Windozvs back r.c. and 
back l.c. shoiving buildings beyond. The room 
has the appearance of military headquarters, 
rather than police. DISCOVERED:— AT 
RISE, Major Buckland, commanding officer, 
zvriting at desk c. He is a portly man of fifty- 
five or sixty ; gruff in speech but polished in 
manner. Orderl-y l.c. below desk, standing at 
attention, looking very much bored. Both are 
in the uniforms of the C. N. Mounted. Buck- 
land busy with maps, etc. 

Buckland. (Rings bell) Have Sergeant O'Brian 
awakened. 

Orderly. Ts he asleep, sir? 

Buckland. Don't ask questions, sir — do as 
you're told. See that Mr. Arnold gets these de- 
scriptions — (Hands papers) — of that girl from Rus- 
sell's No. 13 camp. Teil him to have a man at the 
train to watch her when she gets in. lie knows 
the rest. 

5 



6 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

Orderly. Yes, sir. (Takes papers — starts to go 
— gets idea, turns back) Have you seen the Indian 
that Sergeant O'Brian has just brought n, Sir 
He's three times as large as Mr. O'Brian. He could 
kill him with one hand, I should think. 

Buckland. Don't think. 

Orderly. No, sir. (Going behind chair and 
leaning lightly on it) I beg pardon, Major, I wish 
some day you'd give me the kind of work Sergeant 
O'Brian gets. 

Buckland. First prove yourself as good a man 
as Sergeant O'Brian. Go out through three hun- 
dred miles of wilderness as he did. Arrest and 
bring back an Indian murderer as he has iust done. 
Yes, sir, bring him back right through his tribe's 
own country — a^d then, sir, refuse to talk about it, 
except to say — "Here's your man, sir." Do some- 
thing like that, young man, and then I'll listen to 
you. 

Orderly. But I can't, sir, unless you give me 
the chance. 

Buckland. I didn't give O'Brian his chance — 
he took it. 

Orderly. (Edging a little nearer the Major ) 
If you would give me the Jed Brown murder — the 
papers are very bitter this morning over our not 
getting him yet. 

(READY PHONE) 

Buckland. (Picks up paper) Blow these re- 
porters ! What rot! (Angrily) How can we ar- 
rest him until we know who he is ! ! 

Orderly. If you'd only put me on it, sir 

Buckland. (Angrily) Now look here, young 
man — (Sharply — Orderly backs quickly around l. 
of chair) — just because the Mounted Police is com- 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 7 

posed of gentlemen, it does not give you the privi- 
lege of carrying on a lengthy conversation with your 
officers. 

Orderly. I beg your pardon, sir. (Salutes, 
about faces, exits l.i.e.J 

(TELEPHONE) 

Buckland. (Telephone rings. Buckland takes 
receiver. Short and sharp ) Well — no — yes — I did 

— yes. The girl? Hold the wire (Consulting 

letter — opens drawer of desk — takes out letter) 
About five feet four inches tall. Dressed quietly in 
dark skirt. Black fur coat and cap — red sash — 
black shoes and gloves — good figure — pretty and 

tanned. I do — yes (Hangs up receiver and 

turns back to maps. Orderly returns l.i.eJ 

Orderly. (Coming l.c.) A deputy sheriff from 
the States, s ; r. 

Buckland. Ever seen him before? 

Orderly. No, sir. 

Major. Ell see him — (Orderly starts to go lJ 
— and Orderly — (Orderly turns) 

Orderly. Yes, sir? 

Buckland. Did you wake Sergeant O'Brian? 

Orderly. (Smiling) Yes, sir. 

Buckland. Well, go back a i xl wake him again. 
(Orderly glances at Major in a very bored man- 
ner. Exit Orderly lie. after Htckey enters, 

L.I. E.J 

HlCKEY. (In doorway) Major Buckland, I'm 
Mickey, U. S. Deputy. (Enters) My papers, sir. 
(Hands Major papers. Orderly exits) 

Buckland. (Glancing at papers) Have a seat. 
Mr. Ilickey. 

Mickey. Thanks. (Sitting down L. of desk, 
turning chair towards desk, crossing his legs — tilt- 



8 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

ing chair back very comfortably) We'd like the co- 
operation of the Northwest Mounted Police in a 
little hold-up matter 

Ruckland. We're at your service, sir. 

Hickey. (Crossing his legs — very much at ease) 
These are the facts, Major : some months ago, a 
man held up a Great Northern Express train single- 
handed. He killed the express messenger and made 
his getaway with about twelve thousand dollars — 
-partly in bills and partly in the new gold eagles — 
you know — the one with feather pants on the 

Rooster 

... Major. You mean the new issue? 

Hickey. Yes. 
jj Major. They shouldn't be difficult to trace. 
. Hickey. Well, we haven't found any trace of 
them yet. But we followed his trail for about forty 
miles north, then lost him in the mountains. 

Ruckland. Too bad you hadn't O'Brian to put 
on his trail. 

Hickey. Oh, you mean Sergeant Devil M'Care. 

Major. I mean Sergeant O'Brian. 

Hickey. Oh, everyone calls him Devil M'Care. 

Major. I know, but I call him O'Brian. 

Hickey. (Sitting straight and interested) Well, 
he's the man I want to see you about. I thought 
perhaps you'd put him on this job w T ith me — now. 

Buckland. I'm sorry, but we're just sending 
him out on an important case of our own. You 
know, the Jed Brown murder. But this man you're 
after — you don't know his name, do you? 

Hickey. From the descriptions we've had, we're 
sure it's Snake Butler. 

Major. Snake Butler, eh? Butler — Butler 

(Bus. with reward sheets) Our Government's got 
a reward on him for something. He's caused you 
trouble before 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 9 

Hickey. Well — just a few. We've heard that a 
man answering the description of Snake Butler 
came to Calgary last fall and went into one of the 
lumber camps up country ; North Dakota's offering 
two thousand for him, dead or alive, and the ex- 
press company, five thousand dead, and one thou- 
sand alive. That shows you the way they feel to- 
wards him. Now I've got a hunch that he's in one 
of Russell's lumber camps up on the Great Elk. 

Buckland. (hi deep thought) One of Russell's 
camps, eh? What makes you think that? 

Hickey. Well — we suspect that Snake Butler 
was one of the gang, formed over on this side of 
the line, and that when a robbery is pulled off in the 
States, the man skips over the line and goes up to 
these lumber camps, where he is hidden by his pals. 
Now Russell's camps are the most out of the way 
and the toughest. 

Buckland. Yes — we're rather interested up that 
way ourselves just now — as I told you — the Jed 
Brown murder. While you're looking for your rob- 
ber — you might keep an eye open for our murderer 
— we can help each other 

Hickey. Sure thing 

Orderly. (Entering l.t.eJ Sergeant O'Brian's 
here, sir. 

Buckland. I'll see him at orce. (Exit Orderly 
— Hickey rises to go l.J I'm going to put O'Brian 
in charge of that country. He'll give you what help 
you need. 

Hickey. Thanks (Going l.) 

Buckland. Just wait outside a moment. I 
want you to meet O'Brian. 

Hickey. Thanks — I will. (Exit L.J 

Buckland. (Looks at maps again, then tapping 
on desk impatiently) Well ! Well ! Well ! (Enter 
O'Brian l.i.e. in uniform — a young, handsome 



io THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

Irishman. He has a calm, placid manner when 
under excitement, and a manner of suppressed ex- 
citement when not warranted. He stands at atten- 
tion and salutes. Buckland returns his salute) 
Aren't you a little late this morning, Sergeant 
O'Brian? 

O'Brian. (l.cJ Ah, Major, you're all hard- 
hearted here — just think — only to let me sleep fif- 
teen hours. 

Buckland. (c.) Fifteen hours ! 

O'Brian. Yes, sir — I only ask one hour's sleep 
for every day spent 01 the trail — oh — I'd figured it 
all out in my head — and so I calculated I wasn't 

due here till four o'clock to-morrow morning 

(Peppermint candy business) 

Buckland. What are you eating? 

O'Brian. Peppermint — will you have one? 
(Offers bag) 

Buckland. No, sir — put them up. Hm — you 
should be pretty well rested after fifteen hours 

O'Brian. Thank ye very much, Major, I am ; 
I want the balance just for pleasure. Ye see it was 
the first time I've been in bed for five weeks and I 
never could get much sleep in the snow because I 
was afraid 

Major. Afraid of what? 

O'Brian. I'd wake up and find myself dead. 

Buckland. Bringi^ back that Indian was a 
good piece of work, O'Brian. 

O'Brian. Tha^k ye — kindly — it was — Major — 
I kept explaining that to the ugly devil all the way 
home — but I couMn't make him agree to it. (Starts 
to eat peppermint ) 

Buckland. (Noticing him about to cat pepper- 
mint) Will you ? 

O'Brian. Yes, sir, I will. 

Buckland. My boy, your greatest fault is that 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED n 

peculiar something you probably imagine is a sense 
of humor. 

O'Brian. Ah, Major — youVe never lived three 
weeks with an Indian who couldn't see a joke, and 
whose one fond hope was to get a chance to stick a 
knife into you — and turn it 'rou^d once for luck. 
Twenty-one nights in camp — with a graven image, 
tempting the beggar to smile — with the choicest bits 
of Irish humor — and all I could get out of him was 
the most disgusted expression you ever saw, and a 
couple of grunts — for knowing the old son-of-a-gun 
would be hanged when we got home, I tried to make 
the trip as pleasant as possible, but nothing could 
please that Indian. I believe he killed his squaw 
because she made him laugh. (Peppermint business) 

Buckland. (Enraged at peppermint) If 
you 

O'Brian. They're up, sir, they're up. 

Buckland. If you can give me five minutes' si- 
lence, sir, I want to have a little chat with you. Sit 
down. 

O'Brian. Thank ye very much, Major, I will. 
(Sits near desk) 

Buckland. You have been in the service of the 
Northwest Mounted Police now ? 

O'Brian. Three years and 

Buckland. (Sharply) I wish you would let 
me talk, sir. 

O'Brian. I will, sir — and two years before that 
in the Royal Irish Constabulary at home. 

Buckland. Don't you suppose I know all about 
you, sir? Now young man, listen to me and say as 
little as you can. But if I am misinformed, correct 
me. 

O'Brian. With pleasure, sir 

Buckland. (Looks at hi in sharply) In 1902 
your father, Sir Gerald, disinherited you. 



12 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

O'Brian. (Half rises) He did, sir — but directly 
against my advice 

Buckland. Sit down, sir ! 

O'Brian. (Sits sharply) Thank ye very 

much (^Buckland starts to speak when 

O'Brian speaks for him) Ye see he wanted me to 
marry a certain maiden with a face like a drink of 
water — and plenty of money. I couldn't see it with 
his eyes — so he told me to go to the devil — and so I 
came over to you — hm 

Major. Sir 

O'Brian. (Rises) That is, I enlisted, sir— 

Buckland. Stand at attention, sir. 

O'Brian. I will, sir. (He sits) 

Buckland. I said "attention !" 

O'Brian. Yes, sir. I was only doing that for 
exercise. (Stands) 

Buckland. Now possibly I can speak. 

O'Brian. I hope so. 

Buckland. Sir Gerald disinherited you 

f O'Brian starts to speak) I don't care why — so 
long as it does not dishonor you. 

O'Brian. Thank ye kindly, Major. It does not. 

Buckland. (Picking up a letter and glancing 
at it) Your father has fol 1 owed with interest and 
pride your splendid career here in the Mounted. 
In fact, he has somewhat relented. 

O'Brian. But I still refuse to marry the girl 
with the watery face 

Buckland. He will reinstate you as his son and 
heir 

O'Brian. The dear old boy — bless his old heart. 

Buckland. The day you receive your Lieuten- 
ancy in the Mounted 

O'Brian. Oh! Oh! I see — it took me three 
years to get my Sergeancy — it will take me three 
more to win my Lieutenancy. 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 13 

Buckland. It may take you only as many weeks. 

O'Brian. Three weeks — oh, do say it again — 
go right on talking, Major — ah — Major — your voice 

has a soothing effect on me f O'Brian starts to 

take peppermint. Business, Major) They're up, 
sir. 

Buckland. Good. Sit down. ^O'Brian sits) 

O'Brian. Well — I just got up 

Buckland. Do you know the Great Elk Coun- 
try near the Burnt Lakes ; up by Russell's lumber 
camps ? 

O'Brian. Not very well, sir. 

Buckland. It's rough country, and the lumber- 
jacks up there are bad fighters. 

O'Brian. Bad fighters. I've seen Russell's fight- 
ers when they've struck a town, and turned it up- 
side down, inhabitants and all. Then they've drunk 
up everything in the town that was wet, excepting 
the water. 

Buckland. The men at the camp known as Rus- 
sell's No. 13 are the worst of the lot. 

O'Brian. Then I'll wager they're the best lum- 
bermen. 

Buckland. Russell's No. 13 is situated near the 
head waters of the Great Elk. 

O'Brian. Then it's the greatest country in the 
world to afford protection to a criminal ; for I imag- 
ine that's the happy news you're about to break to 
me, Major. 

Buckland. Just so — about three months ago a 
lumberman named Jed Brown 

O'Brtan. Jed Brown. 

Buckland. Working at Russell's Camp No. 13 
disappeared. No one thought much about it at the 
time, as men often skip out without notice. But 
this mr did not show up anywhere. Now the 
papers ar^ taking the matter up and saying we arc 



i 4 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

not giving- protection to the settlers and woodsmen. 

O'Brian. The papers! Ah, Major, if the police 
were perfect, the papers would have to go out of 
business. (Peppermint business) Had the man 
drawn his pay ? 

Buckland. No, which brines us to the conclu- 
sion that he was murdered and that robbery was not 
the motive. 

O'Brian. Was he a good woodsman? 

Buckland. One of the best men in the camp. 

O'Brian. Then he wasn't lost. If he has not 
come into anv of the towns or c^mps, I should say 
murder. (Rises) Hard to believe, though, for a 
lumberjack alwavs fights in the onen. 

Buckland. The matter c^me to our rotice some 
weeks ago while vou were af^er your Indian. We 
se^t Corporal Radley up to the camo disguised as 
a lumberjack. He's there now — waiting 

(TELEPHONE) 

O'Brian. RadW's a good man. (Turns ui> to 
maps on zvall l. above door l.t e. Phone rings. 
Buckland answers it) 

Buckland. Hello — yes — bring her here— Rosa 
Larrabee — yes — at once — be careful now, don't 

frighten her (Hangs ut> receiver ) As I was 

saying — (Peppermint business ) — Corno^l Radley 
is at the camp now. He has been unable to find 
the body or anv c 1 ue to the murderer. ^O'Brian 
crosses down avd sits) 

O'Brian. How long has Radley been at No. 13? 

Buckland. About ten days. 

O'Brian. And has he found no trail at all in 
that time? 

Buckland. (Business with letter on desk) I 
have a letter here from Radley which says that a 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 15 

girl, Rosa Larrabee, who lives with her brother 
Sam, near the lumber camp, has come down here 
to purchase supplies and clothing. I've sent for this 
girl. I am going to question her myself and I want 
you here, but not seen. 

O'Brian. And not heard. But why does Rad- 
ley want you to question this girl? What does he 
think she has to do with it? 

Buckland. She was the last one seen with Jed 
Brown, the murdered man. 

O'Brian. Does he think she might know who 
did it? 

Buckland. It is reasonable to suppose that she 
may have some knowledge on the subject. 

O'Brian. Rosa Larrabee — Rosa Larrabee — that 
sounds Irish. 

Buckland. What has Irish to do with this? 

O'Brian. Major — ye'll never convince me that 
an Irish girl could have anything to do with a mur- 
der 

Buckland. Nonsense ! Now, this is the point. 
When you bring in the murderer of Jed Borwn 
you will receive your commission as Lieutenant of 
the Northwest Mounted Police — and you will again 
be Sir Gerald's heir. 

O'Brian. Major dear, I'll have your man in two 
weeks after I get on the ground. You've put me 
in a good humor. It isn't that I care about being 
the governor's heir, because he's so poor — there's 
no money in that. But it's to be his son again that 
I want — the dear old boy ! I'm tired of being an 
orphan (Peppermint business) 

Buckland. (Rings bell) There is a man hero 
from the States who has a story that may help you 
somewhat. (Enter Orderly ) Mr. Hickey. (Exit 
( )rderly > ) 

O'Brian. Ah — the sight of Castle O'Brian would 



i6 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

look good to me again after being away six years. 
I don't know who this murderer is, and I'm sorry 
he's got to pay the price with his neck, but he's as 
good as before ye, Major. (Enter Hickey, follozved 
by Orderly. O'Brian, rising, pushes chair back) 

Buckland. (Rises and takes a few steps r. 
O'Brian in front of desk) Mr. Hickey, this is Ser- 
geant O'Bria^. I think if you gentlemen compare 
rotes, you may see a ray of light. (Hickey crosses 
c. to O'Brian ) 

O'Brian. Glad to m^et you, Mr. Hickey. Al- 
ways glad to meet a brother bloodhound. 

Hickey. Thanks. (Shakes hands) 

Orderly. Mr. Arnold has just brought the young- 
lady in, sir. 

Buckland. Very good. O'Brian, move that 
screen down a little, will you? I don't want the 
girl to see you. 

O'Brian. (Moving screen down rJ I'll go up 
to the camps as a sportsman. The man would run 
like a caribou if he thought the Mounted had taken 
the matter up. 

Buckland. Mr. Hickey, won't you join him ? 
I want you to hear this. You may be of help to us 
up there. 

O'Brian. Yes, do, Mr. Hickey 

Hickey. Thanks — I will. ("Hickey crosses r. 
and joins O'Brian behind screen) 

Buckland. (To Orderly,) Bring her here. 
(The door l.i.e. is opened by Orderly. Rosa en- 
ters. Orderly exits. O'Brian and Hickey are r. 
with screen between the desk and themselves. Rosa 
Larrabfe is a handsome g ; rl of about twenty-four. 
She is dressed neatly and well, but plainly. She 
shows good breeding and education — but has the 
freedom of the wilderness. She is nervous and 
frightened, and like all ivoods creatures is very 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 17 

quiet She enters, stops, looks carefully about) 

Buckland. Miss Rosa Larrabee? 

Rosa. (Nodding before speaking) Yes. 

Buckland. (Indicating chair r. of desk) Sit 
down. 

Rosa. (Crossing) This is the headquarters of 
the Mounted Police, isn't it ? 

Buckland. It is. 

Rosa. But — but why am I brought here ? 

Buckland. Miss Larrabee, I don't wish to 
frighten you. But you are brought here in connec- 
tion with a terrible crime. 

Rosa. (Rises) Oh — a crime ! There must be 
some mistake ! • 

Buckland. Now, don't be alarmed. Sit down. 
fRosA sits) I only want to ask you a few ques- 
tions (He waits for an answer, but, receiving 

none, proceeds) Where do you live? 

Rosa. In a cabin on the Great Elk. 

Buckland. Near the head waters? 

Rosa. Yes. 

Buckl/nd. How far are you from Russell's 
Camp Number 13? 

Rosa. About a mile. 

Buckland. With whom do you live? 

Rosa. (Looking at him keenly) Am I accused 
of — anything? 

Buckland. Why — no — I merely want some in- 
formation. 

Rosa. Then why have you got somebody behind 
that screen ? 

Buckland. Eh ? Oh, I beg your pardon ! 
^O'Brian motions Hickey to go out and show him- 
self) 

Hickey. (Stepping from behind screen, cross- 
ing to Major J Here is the list, Major. I beg your 
pardon. 



1 8 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

Buckland. Yes — yes — quite right. Thank you. 
Would you mind leaving this young lady and my- 
self alone? 

Hickey. (Crossing to door lJ Certainly not. 
(He turns at door) I was so interested in my work 
I didn't hear the young lady come in. (Exit L.2.J 

Buckland. Miss Larrabee, how did you know 
there was someone behind that screen ? 

Rosa. In the silence of the woods we learn to 
feel. 

Buckland. You speak remarkably well for a 
woods girl. You ev ; dently have a good education. 
Where did you get it? 

Rosa. I was in a convent at Quebec for eight 
years. 

Buckland. Are vou married ? 

Rosa. No. ^O'Brian laughs approvingly) 

Buckland. Are your parents living? 

Rosa. No. 

Buckland. Then with whom do you live? 

Rosa. My brother — Sam I arrabee. 

Buckland. How do you live? 

Rosa. My brother is a guide and trapper. 

Buckland. Is it safe for a woman to live in 
that region? 

Rosa. It's safer for a woman than for a man. 

Buckland. (Quickly — leaning forward) Why 
do you say that ? 

Rosa. The lumberjacks respect a woman. 

Buckland. Are there any other women up 
there ? 

Rosa. One. 

Buckland. Who is she ? 

Rosa. The sister of one of the French Cana- 
dians. She does the men's washing. 

Buckland. (Apparently busy with papers) Do 
you remember the seventh of February? fRoSA 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 19 

raises her eyes to his face for a moment, then drops 
them) 

Rosa. Seventh of February? 

Buckland. Yes ! 
- Rosa. What day was that ? 

Buckland. Sunday. 

Rosa. No — I — I can't remember dates. 

Buckland. You don't remember going- for a 
walk on that date ? 

Rosa. No. 

Buckland. You said you' didn't remember the 
date. 

Rosa. I don't. 

Buckland. Then how do you know you didn't 
go for a walk on that day ? 

Rosa. Well — possibly I did. 

Buckland. Did you know a man named Jed 
Brown ? 

Rosa. The one that was lost in the woods? Yes. 

Buckland. The one that was murdered. 

Rosa. I didn't know they knew what became of 
him. 

Buckland. Well — suppose we say he was mur- 
dered — you must know that camp pretty well. 
What reason would you give for the murder? 

Rosa. Well, he — he wasn't popular. 

Buckland. That is the only reason you could 
give for his murder? 

Rosa. I — I don't believe he was murdered. 

Buckland. What do you think became of him ? 

Rosa. I don't k^ow. (Almost angrily ) 

Buckland. Did your brother know him ? ( Rosa 
raises eyes to his face, drops them again, then speaks 
very quietly) 

Rosa. Yes. 

Buckland. Where did you last see him? 

Rosa. We went for a walk together. 



20 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

Buckland. That was on Sunday? 

Rosa. (Absently) Yes. 

Buckland. The seventh of February? 

Rosa. Yes. 

Buckland. I thought you couldn't remember 
dates. 

Rosa. (Quickly catching herself) About then 
— I don't know exactly. 

Buckland. Who saw him after that ? 

Rosa. No one — but the man who killed him. 

Buckland. Then you think that he was killed ? 

Rosa. You just told me so. 

Buckland. No, I said suppose. First you said 
he was lost, now you say he was killed. 

Rosa. (Rising) I don't understand my being 
brought here and questioned like this. 

Buckland. You are not guilty, are you ? 

Rosa. That is absurd. 

Buckland. Then why are you afraid to answer 
my questions? 

Rosa. I am not afraid. (Sits slowly) I'm not 
afraid. I don't know who shot Jed Brown. 

Buckland. But you know that he was shot 

(Leaning toward her) 

Rosa. I — no, I don't even know that. 

Buckland. On that last walk you took with Jed. 
Brown — did you quarrel ? 

Rosa. Yes. 

Buckland. Did he ever make love to you? 

Rosa. Yes. fO'BRiAN leans forward atten- 
tively) 

Buckland. How did you feel towards him? 

Rosa. I did not like him. /O'Brian nods ap- 
provingly ) 

Buckland. Were there any other of the men 
attentive to you at -the time ? 

Rosa. Yes. 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 21 

Buckland. Which one? 

Rosa. All of them. (D'Brian shows amuse- 
ment) 

Buckland. Wasn't Joe Hamner making love to 
you at that time, as well as since then? 

Rosa. Yes. How do you come to know that 
Joe Hamner ? 

Buckland. Where was fie when you took that 
last walk with Jed Brown ? 

Rosa. I don't krow. Do you think that Joe 
Hamner might have done it ? 

Buckland. My dear young lady, I have no more 
idea who did it than you have. (Rising ) However, 
in a mo^th or six weeks, when the snow is off the 
ground, I shall send someone up to get at the bot- 
tom of this affair. 

Rosa. (Rising) Is that all? 

Buckland. You can give me vo further infor- 
mation about the disappearance of Jed Brown ? 

Rosa. I didn't know I'd given you any. 

Buckland. Well— you haven't. 

Rosa. I am sorry I can't tell you more, but that 
is all I know. 

Buckland. Thank you very much. fRosA 
crosses to l.c Buckland coming around R. of 
desk) Oh, Miss Larrabee — (She stops) — it might 
be wiser if you didn't speak of our little conversa- 
tion. 

Rosa. Very well, I won't. (Going to door, l.t.eJ 

Buckland. When do vou return to the Great 
Elk ? 

Rosa. (Pausing again) To-night. 

Buckland. Of course you'll be there when our 
man comes up later 

Rosa. Yes — T — I expect to. 

Buckland. Well, in about six weeks we'll count 
on your taking our man over the ground — and giv- 



22 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

ing him all the information and assistance possible. 
You will do that, of course? 

Rosa. Certainly, sir. In a month or six weeks 
then? (Very short pause) Good-bye. 

Buckland. Good-bye. (^Ros^ exits -l.) O'Brian, 
you start for Russell's Number 13 to-night. 

O'Brian. (Coming around screen R.c.J Yes, 
sir — with pleasure. (Crosses to window up L.cJ 
I wonder what train she'll take? 

Buckland. There's only one train a day up that 
way. 

O'Brian. Ah — thank Heaven for that. (Look- 
ing out of windozv L.J 

Buckland. (Crossing around r. corner of desk) , 
Now you're sure you understand the situation ? 

O'Brian. (Lost in thought) I'm trying to un- 
derstand it, Major. (Goes up and looks out zvin- 
dow, trying to see Rosa again) 

Buckland. (Walking up and down between 
desk and screen in deep thought) Remember 
Hickey will be looking for his man, Snake Butler — 
and if you run across him while looking for our 
ma" — tu 1 ^ him over to the Yankee. Did you notice 
— the girl ? I say did you notice the girl ? 

O'Brian. (Coming to l.c. and stopping above 
desk) Girl — what girl ? 

Buckland. (Imfia'ienth) ■ M ; ss Larrabee. The 
girl that was here ius f now. Did you notice h^r? 

O'Brian. (Comina down l.c) Did I notice 
her? Did I — Ah, Major dear — can a man l^elp 
noticing the only woman he's ever seen in his life? 

Buckland. (Pausing and reaa rrl inq O'Brian at 
r. corner of desk ) Sergeant O'Brian, have vou 
gone comnletely crazy — or is this another of your 
sallies of humor? 

O'Brian. Sure it's not humor, Major, so I guess 
it must be crazy I am. But this I know, sir, that 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 23 

from the time she came into the room all kinds of 
chills and fever kept running up and down my 
back. Oh, Major, you talk about a sensation. Ow ; 
wow. Sure I felt that I was an angel in Heaven 
with a harp in my hand stepping from cloud to 
cloud. 

Major. What the hell is the matter with 
you? 



O'Brian. I don't know, sir — but I suspect 

Buckland. (Taking a step toward him) Yes — 
yes- — - 

O'Brian. If it isn't a bad case of malaria — — 



Buckland. (Turning r. again) Pshaw ! Non- 
sense ! 

O'Brian. I'm afraid so — sir — then — it's what 
happens to an Irishman when he first hears the 
voice that goes through him like a 38-55 bullet. 

- Buckland. What the devil are you talking 
about ? 

O'Brian. I — I apologize, Major. I'd rather 
have had it happen when I was ofif duty and had 
plenty of time — well — well — to think that after all 
these years — oh, Io r d — I'm gone. 

Buckland. Look here. T've had about all of 
this I can stand. Will you talk business or won't 
you? 

- O'Brtan. No. Let's talk about the girl. 
Buckland. Sir! 

O'Brtan. (Pulling himself together — with an ef- 
fort) Ah, well, if we must, we must. You were 
saying ? 

Buckland. (Crossing to desk) I was saving, 
you noticed the girl 

O'Brian. (Dreamily — starting to turn up to 
window) Ah, Major, T 

Buckland. (Rapping on desk sharply) If you 
please, sir — you did or you didn't 



24 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

O'Brian. (Smiling) Since you force me to tell 
3 t ou, sir, I did. 

Buckland. She stumbled once or twice. 

O'Brian. Did she? Where did she stumble? 

Buckland. I mean she stumbled in her speech. 

O'Brian. She did. 

Buckland. She knows more than she says. 

O'Brian. She does. Oh, she's a knowing little 
darling. (Peppermint business) 

Buckland. Well, what do you think? 

O'Brtan. (Dreamily) I think — she's the most 
beautiful creature. 

Buckland. I mean about the Jed Brown mur- 
der? 

O'Brian. Oh — the murder! I wasn't thinking 
about it at all, 

Buckland. (Back of desk, in front of chair, 
roaring it out) Then, for heaven's sake, do think 
about it, sir ! This is police headquarters, sir — not 
the garden of Juliet — and you are — Victor O'Brian 
— Sergeant of the Mounted Police — and not Romeo. 
So please be good enough to come back to earth. 
(At each mark (H ) Buckland tries to interrupt in 
following speech) 

O'Brian. (Soothingly) All right, Major dear. 
Sure there's no need to get excited. Why didn't 
you ask her if on that last walk with Jed Brown 
they met anyone else — and which way Brown went 
when he left her — and what he said to her before he 
left — and whether he had quarrelled with any of the 
men about her — and whether anyone of the men 
was particularly jealous — and whether she (H) had 
any particular preference for any one of the men — 
and whether he had ever told her where he came 
from or who his (H) people were, and if he had 
any relatives alive and who was absent from the 
camp when she got back? ^Major sinks into chair) 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 25 

I could have told more from the way she answered 
those questions than from all you asked her. (H) 
Sure, Major, you made her talk about herself in- 
stead of Jed Brown. (Looking l. Turns up stage. 
Peppermint business) Ah, Major, if you could only 

read women as you can men Larrabee — ah, 

that's a sweet mouthful — there's Irish blood in her 
sure. 

Buckland. There'll be Irish blood on my hands 
in about one minute. Now look here. 

O'Brian. I'm looking, Major. 

Buckland. You start for Russell's Camp Num- 
ber 13 to-night and you bring me back the murderer 
of Jed Brown. Confound it, sir, your whole future 
depends on your success! Now go and go at once. 

O'Brian. (Sitting en corner of Major's desk) 
Don't worry, Major. The man will sta^d before ye 

in less than a month — but you're right, sir 

(Looking toward the door) Sure, my whole future 
is up in Russell's Camo Number 13. ("O'Brian goes) 

Buckland. I'm glad you realize that — at last. 

O'Brian. (Coming back) And what a future, 
Major dear! Just think how she'll look presiding 
over old Cast 1 e O'Bn.ap \ Sure the Governor'll 
dance a dozen jigs when he sees her — bless his old 
heart ! 

Buckland. Will you get out? (He leans back 
in chair blankly regarding O'Brian, who continues) 

O'Brian. I'm goin', Major — I'm goin' — why, 
she will make all their duchesses look like thirty 
ce^ts — and the to^es of her sweet voice — oh, you 
talk about an organ in a church, etc., etc., and her 
eyes. Major 

1. CURTAIN. 

2. SECOND CURTAIN: O'Brian still talking. 

3. Company. 



ACT II 

Time : — Three days later. 

Scene: Russell's Camp Number 13 on the Great 
Elk. Along the back from r. to l. runs the 
long, low log cabin, the main camp. A door c. 
Transparent windows R. and L. of it. The roof 
is very low and covered with tar paper. The 
cracks between the logs are stuffed with moss 
and excelsior. Each side of the door and run- 
ning along under the windows are the halves 
of a split log with legs stuck in them from the 
bottom, to form a long seat. A stump, l. A 
grindstone by it. An empty barrel at the cabin 
corner r. Lumbermen's implements are on all- 
sides. Axes, single and double edged, cant- 
dogs whole and broken. Axe sticking in tree 
by grindstone. Tall, straight, spruce, hemlock 
and the white ghost-like birch (with the bark 
stripped off as high as a man can reach) are on 
all sides and over the cabin at back. Although 
it is Spring, the snow is still four or five feet 
deep. The branches of the trees are bent down 
with the snow. R. and L. are high banks of 
snow, cleared from before the cabin. Two 
passage7vays, r. and L v have been cut through 
the banks of snow to allow easy entrance and 
exit. In the r. bank are stuck (small ends 
down) a pair of long Canadian snowshoes 
(some snow still caked in the webbing). It is 
26 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 2j 

late afternoon. The shadows are falling across 
the stage and the orange light of the setting sun 
strikes through the trees. CURTAIN RISES 
on empty stage. Enter r. Antoine Bassette, 
a French Canuck. He sits on the l. end of the 
r. bench. He is a short, thick-set man, dressed 
in the lumberjack costume. Slouch hat, old 
and battered heavy grey or blue shirt with ban- 
dana tied loosely at throat; heavy socks worn 
outside trousers and shoepacks or heavy shoes. 
He is silently smoking a pipe. He carries head 
of an axe, after lighting pipe begins fitting new 
handle to it. After a moment's pause Long 
Jack enters from r. He is another Canadian 
lumberman. Has on snowshoes — axe over 
shoulder. He places axe against side of cabin 
— takes off snowshoes, knocks them together — 
sticks them in bank r. and sits on log l.c. 
Takes out pipe — fills and lights it — no words 
spoken. Enter from around l. end of cabin — 
Eastern — a tall, raw-boned New Yorker — of 
great physical power but slozv in manner and 
speech. All the lumberjacks have that tend- 
ency except the French Canucks. Business of 
taking off snowshoes in silence, etc. After a 
minute's silent smoking — Antoine looks up 
and grins. 

Eastern. Antoine, if you don't change that tune 
there'll be a dead Canuck around here. 

Antoine. Ah fix it, de ax 

Eastern. None of us bein' blind — we guessed 
that was what you was doin\ 

Antoine. How much trees you cut him to-day, 
Jack? 

Jack. Waal — I wouldn't say for sure — but 1 
guess 'twas 'bout twicet as many as you cut — T 



28 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

do' know but what 'twas three times — no — I guess 
^bout twicet. Waal — somewheres between twicet 
and three times. f Antoine grunts an answer. Mag 
appears in doorway — the men look up — Mag is a 
rather pretty French Canadian. Black hair — rather 
small, tough, quick as a cat, and extremely flirta- 
tions. Dressed in fairly gay colors — bright and chip- 
per, making light of everything and everybody) 

Eastern. Say, Mag — you done a bum job on 
them socks o' mine. 

Mag. (Down stage c.) Sure — dey are boom 
sox. 

Eastern. (Laughs) Ha — ain't she cute — boom 
sox. 

Antoine. Ain't supper be ready? 

Mag. Aw, ast de cookes — Ees Joe Hamner got 
in yet? 

Antoine. No — but — I here. 

Mag. You — bah ! /IVIag gives a grunt of dis- 
gust and disappears) 

Eastern. We don't seem ter interest Mag — 
much. 

Jack. What are you blabbin' about — you got a 
Mrs. Antoine an' a mees o' twelve little Antoines — 
down river — ain't ver? 

Antoine. My heart he is so beeg dere is always 
room — Rosa — she come back with Louis? 

Eastern. I ain't seen Sam round here lately. 

(Enter Hamner lJ 

Antoine. Maybe de same feller dat keel Jed 
Brown — get Sam, too. 

Eastern. I ain't seen the man in these moun- 
tains — that kin get Sam Larrabee. (]oe Hamner 
is on snowshoes — same business — no one speaks. 
Hamner is a big, strong, energetic type of North 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 29 

woods lumberman. He crosses to grindstone. Mag 
appears in doorway) 

Hamner. Here — Antoine — you lazy pea-souper 
— come on an' turn this grindstone 

Antoine. Bah — sacre — you call me pea-souper 
— you turn dat stone yourself. 

Hamner. (Threatening ) Come on. f Antoine 
feels for his knife, Hamner reaches for the 
axe) 

Mag. (Crossing l. to grindstone — who has en- 
tered during Antoine's speech) Ah turn heem for 
you, Joe 

Hamner. (Uses snow to wet grindstone) All 

right ^Mag turns stone while Joe sharpens 

axe. A moment's silent smoking. Pause) Has 
Louis got back with the supply sled? If he's drunk 
I'll break his lon^ French neck. 

Antoine. Ah , ll guess he drive slow, an' talk to 
Rosa. 

Hamner. (Up quickly) You darned half- 
breed ! 

Mag. (Flaring up) Well — what do you care 
eef Lotrs talk to Rosa, eh? (WHISTLE. Call 
and whistle outside R. Hamner sinks back on log 
again) 

Antoine. (Goes up and looks) Bah sacre, here 
comes Rosa an* de supply sled an' Louis — probably 

Louis forgot dat tobac he's goin' bring me 

(Exit r.) 

Eastern. (Rising and going r. with Jack ) T 
hone he ain't forgot the newspaper — the last one's 

read to pieces (Exit Jack r. Hamner rises 

and starts to go r.) 

Hamner. I guess that'll do, Mag (Meaning 

grindstone ) 

Mag. Hub — be ain't sharp. 

Hamner. Sharp enough 



30 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

Mag. Ha — you think ah don't know why you go 
— when Rosa — comes? 

Hamner. Well — sposin' ye do — what then? 

Mag. I guess Rosa — never work for you — like 
I do 

Hamner. That's just it (Turning away) 

Mag. All right — Ah'll show you — me — you make 
love to me — until Rosa comes an' then — pouf — Mag 
is a servant — all right. 

Hamner. When did I ever make love to you? 

Mag. Before Rosa come — you love me — you 
give me money — U. S. gold — so I don't feel bad— 
ha! 

Hamner. If I was you I wouldn't keep talkin' 
about that money. 

Mag. (Tossing her head) Huh — you think Rosa 
care for you — — ? 

Hamner. That'll do now — drop up on that 

CRadley, known as Pete, enters from the cabin. 
Crosses r. , Enter from r. Rosa and Louis. 
Rosa carrying bundles, etc. Men begin to ask 
her if they got their things ; all talking at once) 

Rosa. Yes — yes — yes — I got everything. Here, 
Jack. Here's your pipe, and your tobacco and gui- 
tar, Antoine. Hello, Mag, I've brought you the 
prettiest ribbons in Calgary — and oh, Mag — I've 
got some news for you — there's a handsome young 
man comine to camp. 

Mag. (Tossing her head — looking at Hamner) 
Ha — I guess we need some handsome man here 

Hamner. (r.) What kind of a man? 

Rosa, (c.) He came up on the train with me 
to Mountain's Loop and he's Irish. 

Radley. (Starting) Irish, eh 

Mag. (l.c.) Da's good — ah like Irish 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 31 

Antoine. (Listening) Here come — someting. 
Eastern. (Looking off r.) Oh, that ain't the 
Irish gent — it's Sam — hello, Sam 

(Enter Sam, r., on snowshoes, carrying skins tied 
to muzzle of rifle and traps slung over his shoul- 
der. He is a young man of larger build than 
O'Brian. His face is good but lined and un- 
shaven. He is reserved almost to the point of 
sullenness. Rosa runs over and kisses him — 
Hamner takes no notice of his presence) 

Sam. Hello, little girl — had a good day for your 
trip, didn't ye ? 

Rosa. Did you have good luck to-day ? 

Sam. (Showing skins) Tolable 

Louis. What yer been doin', Sam, eh? 

Sam. (r.c.J Been trappin' up the Great Elk. 

Radley. (r.) Seen any signs? 

Sam. Sig^s o' what? 

Radley. Signs o' men. 

Sam. What'd anybody be doin' up the Great 
Elk ? 

Radley. Thought maybe Jed Brown might be 
lost up that way. (HRosa starts at the mention of 
the name ) 

Sam. You talk like a loose wheel. (He goes up, 
puts his pack inside and leans against doorway, 
smoking) 

Eastern. Sure ye do. Jed Brown ain't made no 
tracks fer a couple o' months. 

Rosa. (Sits on stump r.cJ Don't talk like that. 

Hamner. What's the matter? Yer tired, Rosa 
— after yer trip? 

Rosa. No. It's just the talk about Jed Brown. 
It seems terrible to think that he may be lying some- 
where — alone. 



32 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

Hamner. Yes — and the man who killed him 
walkin' 'round free 

Mag. You have some good time in Calgary, 
Rose? You bri^g Mag the stuff for the beautiful 
red dress and some nice red stockings. (Showing 
them) Ai-'tit? 

Antoine. La, la, la. 

Eastern. (Hiding his face ) Hold on, Mag. 

Rosa. Yes, I got everything you asked me to. 

Mag. Oh, t'ank you! No one is good to Mag 
but you. 

Eastern. Why, everybody from the cookie to 
Long Jack here has bee"> good to you. 

Mag. I deed not said good to me, I say marry 
me. 

Rosa. Mag, did you know that the money you 
gave me to buy those things was United States 
gold? 

Mag. Sur^ T know eet ! 

Louis. Where you got it, some States gold, hein ? 

Mag. (Flaring up) My friend in the States 
send me everyt'ing ah want, eef you don't like eet 
for me to have American eold, you go to le diable 
dat's what you do. Come, Rosa, Ah got your clothes 
in de house ; you better take off your best dress — 

there is nobody here to wear it for (Exits into 

house) 

Rosa. I'll be right there. 

Hamner. Ro^a 

Louis. Oh, I foreet it de mail. (Takes from bag 
one letter and one paper) Here. (Gives paper to 
Eastern ) Ah guess dis letter be for Antoine 

Antoine. Sacre ! A letter — Ba ear — for me 



(Opens letter) Ah hope — my family he ain't be 

seek 

Eastern. Yer huV familv couldn't all be sick — 
without there was a plague in the land 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 33 

Sam. Rosa, I'll get your things from the sled. 
(Exit R.) 

Antoine. Sacre — (They come about him) — Ah 

got another baby (Falls back into Eastern's 

arms) 

Radley. Gentlemen — when a hen hatches too 
many chickens it is the custom to insert said hen in 
water (They carry him out by feet and arms) 

Antoine. (As he goes — struggling) Bah— 
Jimmy, you think Ah ain't have it all de baby Ah 

want (Etc., ad lib. Rosa and Hamner left 

alone. Rosa starts to go up to door) 

Hamner. Wait a minute, Rosa — I want to talk 
to you — ain't it kinder lonely for you when Sam 
goes off trappin' ? 

(READY YELL) 

Rosa. Oh, Sam's not away much. 

Hamner. Not enough to suit me. I never git a 
chance ter talk to yer 

Rosa. If you mean — what you spoke of once be- 
fore — you'd better leave it unsaid — because it 
wouldn't be any use. 

Hamner. It wouldn't be any use, eh ? Don't you 
do no foolin' with me, Rosa. I ain't the kind ter 
stand for it. 

Rosa. I'm not fooling with you, Joe. Why can't 
you understand 

Hamner. Then if I told you I loved you 

(A yell from men in the distance) And if I asked 
you to marry me it wouldn't be no use? 

Rosa. I'm afraid not, Joe. 

Hamner. Well, I know it would. 

Rosa. Don't be foolish. Can't you take "no" for 
an answer? 

Hamner. No, I can't! 



34 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

Rosa. Then I won't listen to you (Starts 

for cabin) 

Hamner. (Crosses to l.cJ Hold on, Rosa. 
fRosA stops) You love your brother, don't you? 
/Rosa turns back quickly, looking at him intently) 

Rosa. Sam? What's this got to do with Sam? 

Hamner. You don't want ter break up yer little 
home on the Great Elk, do yer ? 

Rosa. (Trying to treat it lightly) If I married 
you it would be broken. 

Hamner. If you don't marry me it may — but I 
don't want to talk this way. 

Rosa. Say what you mean — I like plain talk. 

Hamner. A 1 l right, but remember you asked me 
to say it. (He looks quickly about) It's about Sun- 
day — the seventh of February (Rosa starts) 

I was hunting for deer up in Smoky Pass the day 
you an' Ted Brown took vour last walk together. I 
know why your brother Sam never sets his traps in 
Smoky Pass ro more. I know you took the trail for 
Smoky Pass with Jed Brown that day and — I know 
what passed between you and him — why him and 
Sam guarded and why Sam 

Rosa. Sh 

Hamner. Well— I k^ow what happened at the 
end of the trail, and I could take the Mounted police 
to-morrow to where Jed Brown lies — under four 
feet of snow and ice. 

Rosa. Then you know why 

Hamner. It don't matter why — the Mounted are 
sent to stop men killin' each other. They take a life 
for a life — f hey don't ask for reasons 

Rosa. (Turns to him slowly) And so you want 

to force me 

Hamner. No! I only want a fair chance. I 
love you on the square and I want you ter gi' me a 
show. There ain't no one else, is there? 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 35 

Rosa. (Moves away from him. Crosses rJ 
No, there's no one else. I've got to fight you alone. 

Hamner. Now that's crazy talk. I ain't fightin' 
you and I don't want to. (Crossing to her at r.c.J 
I'll make it easy as I can for you, Rosa — if you'll 
only give me the chance — but there ain't ter be no 
one else, is there ? 

Rosa. (Bitterly) Not unless someone comes out 
of the wilderness — and that's not likely. 

Hamner. You're right — it's not 

Mag. (Appearing in doorway) Ain't you comin' 
in, Rosa, before supper? (Exit into house) 

Rosa. I'm coming. (Exit into house. Hamner, 
hearing the men coming, exits r. as they enter, first 
picking up his axe. The men troop on from R., 
bringing Antotne back, singing. They drag him 
back by the feet, letting his shoulders drag on the 
ground to c.) 

Antotne. Bah J ; mrw Dieu ! You tink dat 
funny, eh ? Bah Gar — you broke all of my backs 

Sam. (Enters from r. with bundles — crosses to 
cab ; n ) What's the matter, Antoine, can't you find 
a chair? (Sam. goes into cabin, and comes out again 
at once) 

Antoine. You think that's funny. 

Sam. Don't you like the sport? 

Antoine. Dis a hell of a place for sport. 
^Antoine washes hands in basin on rain bar- 
rel R.) 

Eastern. (Sitting on log at L.cJ Say, Sam — 
this paper's got another story 'bout that Sergeant 
Devil-M'Care. 

Sam. Never heard of him. ^Radlev is sitting 
on the barrel r., watching the men closely) 

Eastern. You ain't; why, he's the best man in 
the mounted police. 

Sam. I ain't interested in police news. 



36 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

Radley. It's a wonder they wouldn't send him 
up here to find out who killed Jed Brown. 

Antoine. Bah Gar — here come someone, sure. 

Eastern. (Going up l.c, looks off L.3.E.J By 
the great horn spoon, it's the Irish swell ! ( Eastern 
sits on stump l.c. Radley on sledge r. Long Jack 
on bench r. of doorway, Louis on same bench. Sam 
on bench l. of doorway; Antoine on same bench. 
Everyone immediately freezes up. The men smoke 
in silence. O'Brian enters l. He wears snow- 
shoes, high moccasins and the costume of the dis- 
trict. He carries a Winchester. He comes c, stops 
and looks around. No one apparently notices him) 

O'Brian. Snakes in Ireland — I've been walking 
so long I waddle like a duck. Wait till I take off 
my web feet. (Removing snowshoes) Bedad, 
they're the most uncompanionable things I ever 
walked with in me life. Faith, you need a space the 
size of England to turn around in and as for back- 
ing up— well, you back one foot and you fall down 
the rest. Once down there on the trail sure my 
right foot found out what my left foot doeth a^d 
stepped on it. Sure can ye imagine me tryin' to 
walk with my right foot on me left. (He looks 
about ; they don't notice him) I say can ye imagine 
me tryin' to walk with me left foot stuck to mv 
right? Hum! I wonder if I've struck a deaf and 
dumb asylum. Well, I was walkin' on my ear mos" 
of the time. Once I came down so hard I knock^ 
a groan out of the trail. A great place to play so! : - 
taire. Boys, can you put me up for the night? (Nr 
answer) Thank ye very much. Everything look 
congenial here. (Sticking his snowshoes in the snow 
wrong end up) There you are ! My ! My, but i: v 
cold. If it gets much colder, I think I'd better stav 
here till the snow melts and walk home on my own. 
feet. 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 37 

Eastern. Well, I don't know as I can put ye up 
for the night, but I guess I can lick the tar outen 
yer. 

O'Brian. What's a little tar between friends? 
All we need is a few feathers. 

Eastern. I do' know but what I might kill yer 
if I hit you real hard. 

O'Brian. I think this fellow would be great com- 
pany for me. 

Eastern. (Looks O'Brian up and down) No, 
I guess only lick the tar outen yer. 

O'Brian. (As Jack turns up, his big checked 
coat is noticeable ) He'd make a p-ood checker 
board. I'm afraid there's some mistake here — 
maybe I'm not the man ye seem to be expectin'. My 
name is 

Antoine. (Springing up) Bah Gar! Ah don' 
care what your name. Ah push your face to 
pieces. (Rushes down r. of O'Brian gesticulating 
with rage) 

O'Brian. What? 

Antoine. (Continues to gesticulate, trying to 
explain in pantomime what he is going to do to 
,p r>TAN) I push your face to pieces 

O'Brian. I wonder what lodge he belongs 
to! 

Antoine. No — no — I push your face to pieces 



-so- 



O'Brtan. So- 



A n tot n e . Yes — so — so- 



O'Brtan. This fellow's a sewin' machine. Well, 
what is it vou're goin' to do? 

Antoine. Push your face to pieces. 

O'Brian. Well, be careful of the pieces. Boys, 
ve know, if ye keep this up, you'll make me think 
I'm rot welcome here. 

Antoine. Welcome — Bah ! 



38 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

O'Brian. Boys, the next time ye let that sheep 
out, put a bell on him so ye won't lose him. 

Antoine. Bah ! 

O'Brian. Yes — I'm beginning to thn~k so mv- 

self (Turning to Radley w'th a sharp look 

but the same manner) And — whisper — what will 
you do to me, when the others are all through — if 
there's anything left of me? 

Rosa. (Entering from cabin) I'm ready, Sam. 

Radley. I can ta 1 k to you better when there 
air't no ladies arond. 

O'Brian. Oh, I beg your pardon, Miss ! 

Sam. (Coming down r.c. and tapping him on 
the shoulder) You better get introduced first, 
stranger. 

Rosa. Oh — we met — each other at the station, 
Sam, but we haven't been introduced yet. (To 
O'Bptan) Th ; ^ i^ mv brot^*\ 

O'Brian. (To Sam) Your brother! I'm happy 
to .meet you.Vr. 

Sam. What's your nam**? 

O'Brtan. Kehvav — Lee Kelwav — from Ireland 
ori°- : na1Jy, "ow from Winnipeg. And von '-? 

Sam. S^rn I arrab^e. \ v e don't like strangers 
up this way much. (Crosses to R.c.) 

O'Brian. It looks that wav. 

Sam. Climate don't seem to apree with 'em. 

O'Brian. (Looking him full in the fac*) Well, 
I like the climate — a 1 l ri^ht. I f suits me immensely. 
(Turning to Rosa and bowing ) Miss Larrabee, I'm 
afraid I've made a bad beginning with your friends. 

Sam. Stranger 

Rosa. Sam, Mr. Kelwav was good enough to 
help me with mv bundles b^for^ "Louis came. 

Sam. Hm — much obliged. (Turns away to the 
oth^r men — up staqe) 

O'Brian. Don't mention it. (The men gather 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 39 

by door and show in pantomime what they are 
going to do. Antoine and Louis together show 
they are going to throw him down and kick him 
out) 

Rosa. The boys have their own methods of hos- 
pitality, Mr. Kelway. 

O'Brian. (Glancing quickly behind him at men) 
Yes, I noticed that. 

Rosa. I see you're a stranger in this country or 
you'd know that the wilderness has laws of its own, 
and silence is the password. 

O'Brian. Silence. Then I'm afraid I'll never 
pass. But it's very good of you to give me the tip. 
(Behind him Antoine and Louis have shown in 
pantomime that they zv ; ll upset him in the snow and 
begin some of the lumberjack's tr ; cks with him. 
They begin to cautiously approach him from be- 
hind) What did vour tro f her mean by saying it 
wasn't a hea 1 fhy place for strargers? 

Rosa. I do 't know. (Business) 

O'Brian. You know I should think much de- 
pended on the stranger, f Radley coughs. ' O'Brian 
carelessly reverses his Winchester, which brings the 
muzzle in Antotne's face as he and Louis are rush- 
ing O'Brtan for the tumble trick) 

O'Brian. Oh, I beg vour pardon! I didn't no- 
tice that my rifle was cocked. I'm afraid I'm ner- 
vous with firearms. ( Antoine and Louis care- 
lessly, but to the amusement of others, stroll quickly 
to the cabin door and exeunt. Radley smoking, sit- 
ting on sled r. waiting for Rosa to go) 

Sam. Come, Rosa, we'll eat with the boys and 
go home by moonlight. (Turns up to cabin door 
and exits) 

(READY HORN) 

O'Brian. Home, that sounds good to a man who 



40 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

hasn't seen home in six long years. Now I'll wager 
your home is a happy one. 

Rosa. We've got a dear little cabin — up the 
river, and we've been very happy there. 

O'Brian. I wonder if ye are now? (Movement 
from Rosa ) 

Rosa. Why do you say that? 

O'Brian. Because — Miss Larrabee — (Quietly) 
—there's the least trace of fear in your eyes, and 
that doesn't belong to the pines and the trail, except 
when one of the wild creatures is being hunted. 
(Horn, The loud sound of the conch is heard) 
Somebody's in trouble. 

Rosa. (Laughing) That's the men's supper 
bell. 

Sam. (Appearing in door) Rosa, I want you 
to come in. 

Rosa. Won't you join us, Mr. Kelway? 

O'Brian. No, thanks. I'm afraid I shouldn't be 
a welcome guest. 

Rosa. Oh — I'm sure they 

Jack. (Going in) Stranger, I don't think an 
awful lot o' yer — but yer better come in an' fill yer 
ribs. 

O'Brian. Sure a lumberjack 'ud give his last 
piece o' bacon to a man he'd just killed. 

Eastern. (Shouting to O'Brian from in cabin) 
Well, maybe I'd better save a little bacon for you. 
(Exit) 

O'Brian. (To Rosa, smiling) Do you know 
that fellow has the sweetest, sourest disposition I've 
ever come across in my life. If I should die a nat- 
ural death — I believe it would break that man's 
heart — I really believe if he had two drinks of 
whiskey and they were the last two drinks of 
whiskey in the world,. he'd drink one and give the 
other to himself. 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 41 

Sam. (Inside) Rosa! 

Rosa. Will you come in? 

O'Brian. Thank ye — I'll follow you — in a mo- 
ment. (Detaining her) Ye're sure Til not be in — 
in the way ? 

Rosa. (Smiling) Quite sure. 

O'Brian. Ye've never been to Ireland, have ye? 

(LIGHTS BIG IN RED) 

Rosa. No. (Going) 

O'Brian. (Following her to door. He walks 
with her to the door and goes right on talking until 
she gently closes the door) Ah — ye must go — some 
day. Sure Pll tell ye all about it, after supper. Tis 
a grand old place. (She turns and smiles at door, 
then exits. O'Brian turns quickly to Radley,) 
Well? 

Radley. I'm glad you've come, sir. 

O'Brian. Thank ye. Have ye found out any- 
thing? 

Radley. Nothing definite, but 

(Hamner enters R.2.) 

O'Brian. Look out! (In a different manner) 
All right — I'll stay . to supper — with pleasure. 
(Crosses over to l.c, stands with back to Ham nek 
who enters R.3 e. and stops short at seeing O'Brian ) 

Radley. (In the lumberman's manner) Oh, T 
guess the boys won't mind! 

Hamner. (Crossing to O'Brian at L.C.J Look 
a here, young feller, I'm aetin' foreman of this out- 
fit an' I don't like yer comin' here. What's yer busi- 
ness? What do yer want anyhow? Did 'yer come 
here to — devil-m'-care ! (He comes face to face 
with O'Brian and stops dead still ) 



42 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

O'Brian. Same to ye — and many of them, Joe. 
Do you know I thought you were here when I first 
heard this Jed Brown business mentioned at head- 
quarters ? 

Hamner. Look out, that new feller over there 
is listenin' ! (Pointing to Radley ) 

O'Brian. (Looking at Radley y Oh, don't 
worry. (Crosses to Radley who is still at r.h.) 
Your foreman a^d I are old acquaintances — would 
you mind doin' the twenty-third waltz? 

Radley. Not a bit! (Exit r.) 

O'Brian. Well, well, sure this is a pleasant sur- 
prise ! 

Hamner. You didn't come up here to hunt? 

O'Brian. Oh, yes, I did, Joseph, and for big 
game, ^nd since I've found you here, I know I'm 
on f u e right trail. 

Hamner. Se~ here, O'Brian, I ain't anxious ter 
h?v° *roub 1 e with you. 

0'Bf t *n. I understand your feelings in that 
ma f ^r« Toe, of course you're not. 

Hamner. But I didn't have nothin' ter do with 
the killiV o' Jed Brown. 

O'Brian. Then who did? 

Hamner. How should I know? 

O'Brian. (His manner changing entirely) I 
don't know how you know, but I krow that you do 
know. In 1904 you were selling whiskey in Mani- 
toba. You haven't settled for that yet, because you 
left suddenly for the States. Now you answer my 
questions — every one of them truthfully, and if I 
find that you lie to me — and if I see a gun on you, 
I'll take you back on a moose sled. Savvy! Is 
that clear? And if you open your head about who 
I am, I'll hang you in Calgary barracks. 

Hamner. Sure — don't you know a friend when 
you see one ? 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 43 

O'Brian. Friend? Faith, I have the same 
friendship for you that a cat has for a mouse. 

Hamner. Well, Fm goin' ter feed. (Exits into 
cabin) 

O'Brian. That idea made ye hungry, didn't it? 
(Glances through window to see that men are at the 
table, then comes r. and meets Radley, ivho enters 
r. and stands down r. so that a tree is between him 
and the cabin door) 

Radley. Did the Major question the girl as I 
advised ? 

O'Brian. He did. And he bade me give ye this 
comforting message, Corporal Radley — the day we 
bring in Jed Brown's murderer you get my Ser- 
geancy. 

Radley. And you your Lieutenancy. 

O'Brian. Yes, but we haven't got him yet. 

Radley. I don't think it will take long. 

O'Brian. I don't think it will take a lifetime 
myself. 

Radley. It'll take someone's lifetime. 

O'Brian. Don't joke about it, Radley. Do you 
ever think of the poor devil you're after? T sup- 
pose he has a heart just the same as the rest of us. 

Radley. This one has, all right. I think that's 
what led to the trouble. 

O'Brian. Oh, ye foxy boy! Ye know who it is, 
do you? 

Radley. Well, I can make a pretty shrewd 
guess. 

O'Brian. Can ye now? Well, let's hear yer 
guess 

Radley. Rosa Larrabee. (O'Brian's manner 
changes instantly. He looks at Radley a moment ) 

O'Brian. Rosa Larrabee! Don't be a damn 
fool! 

Radley. I've been right here on the ground, Ser- 



44 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

geant. That girl winces every time Jed Brown's 
name is mentioned. 

O'Brian. And wouldn't you wince if you'd been 
the last one seen with a murdered man ? 

Radley. There's something more than that 
makes her turn white and kinder shudder when you 
talk about his bein' murdered. 

O'Brian. Maybe there is. Maybe she knows 
who killed him. Maybe she saw him killed. But as 
for killing him herself, you're crazy — the idea of 
that girl committing murder. Why, man, that's the 
funniest remark I've ever heard in my life. 'Pon 
me word — do you know I didn't know you had so 
much humor in you. Why, you are a regular comic. 
Look — the snowshoes are laughin' at ye. 

Radley. (Loudly and roughly) I've been right 
here watching her. 

O'Brian. Well — don't tell the whole camp about 
it. Ye may have watched her, but ye didn't look at 
her. You never looked into that girl's eyes or you'd 
know she couldn't kill a man. 

Radley. (With sneering sarcasm) You must 
a' been lookin' pretty hard, Mr. O'Brian. 

O'Brian. Cut that! Why weren't ye watchin' 
Hamner ? Sure, you've got a man blacker than the 
devil right under your nose and never smelled a rat. 
I'll expect to see you looking for cigar ashes next, 
like Sherlock Holmes. 

Radley. (Down r.) Excuse me, Sergeant, .1 
don't mean any insolence, but aren't you letting your 
Irish chivalry interfere with your good judgment? 

O'Brian. Sure — and if you don't stop, I'll be 
letting my Irish fist interfere with your good fea- 
tures. From now on you keep your eyes on Hamner 
and I'll do the rest. Clear out now — and when you 
see the men come out — come back and start the con- 
versation on Jed Brown. I'll wait a minute and ad- 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 45 

mire the sunset. ( Radley goes into cabin. O'Brian 
stands with his back to the door, looking off l. Mag 
enters, picks up guitar which has been tied up in 
bundle) What have ye there, Miss Mag? 

Rosa. Mr. Kelway 

O'Brian. (Turning) Miss Larrabee, ye're just 
in time to see the tail end of a sunset that's as good 
as two church organs and a hundred little choir 
boys. Look there. 

Rosa. Is it worth going hungry to see ? 

O'Brian. Hungry, is it? Sure, I couldn't eat a 
wink while I'm looking at that. Just see those col- 
ors. Just see that orange color in the sky. Ah — if 
those orange colors were only green — no — you 
couldn't mix it — you'd start a fight. 

Rosa. Are you so fond of Ireland ? 

O'Brian. Fond is it? JKaith, Miss Larrabee, did 
ye ever see an Irishman who didn't think that the 
world was built just to keep Ireland from falling 
into space? 

Rosa. I don't think I ever met a real Irishman 
before (Sits l.) 

O'Brian. Thank Heaven for that. 

Rosa. Whv ? 

O'Brian. Why — well — they're persistent beg- 
gars — and it's hard to refuse them anything and — 
oh — well, you wouldn't know what I meant if I 
toM ye 

Rosa. (Smiling) Not even with my convent 
education ? 

O'Brian. I beg your pardon. 

Rosa. I say, not even with my convent educa- 
tion? 

O'Brian. Ye'd never learn what I mean — in a 
convent — do ye k n ow. When ye know me better — 
ye'll s<*~ that I don't always know what I mean — 
myself 



46 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

Rosa. Wasn't it a Frenchman who said that only 
a fool says what he thinks? 

O'Brian. It must have been a Frenchman sure 
— an Irishman says what he thinks, but never thinks 
what he says. Oh, ye'd like the Irish, Miss Larra- 
bee — you'd like them I fancy. 

Rosa. (Smiling) I believe I would 

O'Brian. And since ye must make a beginning 
to like them — would ye mind beginning with me ? 

Rosa. Aren't we getting a little personal ? 

O'Brian. Of course — I — I suppose it's because 
— we're persons — and when two men meet on a 
desert island they don't insist on old friend- 
ships — before being honest with each other, do 
they? 

Rosa. But we're not two men on a desert 
island 

O'Brian. No — we're worse — we're a man and a 
woman in the wilderness — sure ye must have been 
lonely up here 

Rosa. You don't know the wilderness. It's not 
lonely. Why, it's never tw^ce the same — and I love 
the change that every dav bnn°-s 

O'Brian. Sure it is"'t God's wilderness I m°an 
— it's being surrounded by n^oole who think I'm 
crazy because I'd rather see that sunset than eat salt 
pork. 

Rosa. (Slowly, looking at him) But I went in 
— a^d ate salt pork — with my friends 

O'Brian. Sure ye did. Because they're your 
salt pork friends, and I'll wager ye never ^d a. sun- 
set friend in vour life. Miss Larrabee, we've known 
each other — all through a north woods' sunset. And 
that's worth a year between brick walls — and I know 
ye'll rot misunderstand me if I ask you to let me 
see you v T hi 1 e I'm up here — for — well — I may as 
well confess it to ye — I never had a sunset friend 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 47 

in my life — not me — and I — I'm tired of salt 
pork 

Rosa. Mr. Kelway — how much of this — do you 
really mean ? 

O'Brian. (Looking directly at her) Sure I 
mean more than all of it 

Rosa. (After a pause) There's a fine view from 
the front of our cabin — and we'll be glad to see you 
— Sam and I 

O'Brian. Oh — will you indeed? That's awfully 
kind of you. (She crosses as if to go back into 
cabin when Eastern and Jack enter) 

Eastern. (Wiping his mouth) Well, stranger, 
did yer have a good supper? (Remains up stage, l. 
of doorway) 

O'Brian. I'll wager 'twas more digestible than 
yours. fRosA goes right to her snowshoes sticking 
in back r. Sam appears in the doorway. Enter 
Radley. Enter Hamner, who sits R.cJ 

Radley. 'Scuse me for interruptin' yer friend, 
but when you come through Calgary, did you hear 
any talk about their sendri' anybody up here from 
the police after the Jed Brown murder? 

Rosa. (Sitting on log l.cJ If a man knew the 
woods I should think it would be almost impossible 
to capture him. 

O'Brian. Impossible! Miss Larrabee, if the 
mounted police were after me, I'd come out of the 
woods, and meet them — it would save just that much 
walking. 

Rosa. But in the mountains like this, surely a 
woodsman could escape. 

O'Brian. There are four stages to a murder in 
the Northwest. First, there's the murder. Then 
there's the mounted. Then there's a hanging, and 
then there's peace. 

Mag. (Has stepped into doorway — enters — ■ 



48 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

comes to O'Brian — makes him a courtesy) Mon- 
sieur, le cookee he present you hees compliments — 
an' he say he have for you some nice stew 

O'Brian. Stew — the national dish of Ireland. 
I'll take the cookee at his word — he's the most chari- 
table man I've met up here. (Going towards cabin. 
Exit c.) 

Eastern. (To Long Jackj Come on, Jack, 
with two Ere"chmen and one Irishman inside, there 
ought to be some fun. (^Eastern, Jack and Sam 
exit into cabin c.) 

Mag. (To Rosaj Ah like it, de Irish feller, eh, 
Rosa? (She turns and starts for door. Hamner 
blocks her zvav. Rosa l.J 

Hamner. Say, Mag. 

Mag. Don't say it. Ah ain't got time to hear 
it. 

Hamnfr. You got to be mighty careful wot yer 
say to this IHshma^. 

Mag. Why? ^Fosa crosses down rJ 

Hamner. Well, if he Vn^w that you an' me was 
usin' United States gold, he'd blow to the police — 
are yer on ? 

Mag. He prrty pood feller — but Ah ain't tell 
him rothin'. (She exits into cabin) 

Hamner. (Crossing r. ) Come on, Pete, yer 
lazy mut, I want yer to check supplies. ^Radley 
and Hamner exeunt r. Sam crosses down to Rosa. 
Business of Rosa calling, "Sam" — "Sam",) 

Sam. (Enterinq from cabin) I guess there's 
enough crust on the snow to do without snowshoes. 

Rosa. Yes. I have been trying to get a word 
with you alo^e. 

Sam. Well, what is it? 

Rosa. Sam, Joe Hamner knows! 

Sam. K^ows what? 

Rosa. He knows that you 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 49 

Sam. That I shot Jed Brown? ^O'Brian si 
heard softly singing inside) 

Rosa. Sh ! He was in Smoky Pass when 

Sam. I did it? I knew it would come out. It 
always does. Well, I'm not ashamed of it — but HI 
fix Joe Hamner so he won't say nothing! (Starts 
to go r. in the direction Hamner went) 

Rosa. (Detaining him) No, no — not that — he 
wants to marry me. 

Sam. That's his game, is it? I've wanted to do 
better for you than Joe Hamner. 

Rosa. I know you have, Sam, you have done 
everything in the world you could for me. 
You've been father and mother both to me — 
but don't anger Joe Hamner now, knowing what he 
does. 

Sam. If he makes any threats, Rosa, HI send 
him on the same trail I sent Jed Brown. 

Rosa. You must not keep speaking of that. You 
are in terrible danger now. You heard Mr. Kelway 
speak about the mounted police — they never miss 
the man they are after 

Sam. And I'm the man. 

Rosa. Oh, Sam, it's terrible ! 

Sam. Yes — it is terrible for you, little girl — let's 
clear out. 

Rosa. Yes, you must keep away. I want you to 
guide Mr. Kelway. I thought you might be able to 
take him over the divide before the mounted came 
That would keep you well out of their way and kill 
suspicion. 

Sam. That's a good idea, Rosa. (Enter Ham- 
ner r. // O'Brian does not sing then Antotne is 
heard playing on a guitar and singing one of the old 
Habitant love songs) 

Hamner. Helio! What's all the hush talk 
about ? 



50 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

Sam. (Turning slowly to Hamner J Say, Ham- 
ner, you better act on the level with me. 

Hamner. I'm going to, Sam. I'll never open 
my head unless Rosa tells me to. 

Sam. You leave Rosa out o' the talk altogether. 

Hamner. That's for her to say. You're in a 
hard hole right now and your eyes ain't open wide 
enough to see it. 

Rosa. What do you mean, Joe? 

Hamner. I mean I can help yer all out o' 
trouble. I know somethin's goin' on here that you 
don't — and I'll be runnin' an awful risk if I mix up 
in it. But I'd do it for you, Rosa. 

Sam. What is this — a flim-flam game? 
. Hamner. Yes, and you're bein' flim-flammed, 
but not by me. 

Sam. Then somebody's takin' a big risk. 

Hamner. What show do yer think you'd stand 
against the mounted police ? 

Rosa. The mounted ? 

Sam. I euess they're only men — an' I can kill 
as well as they can. 

Hamner. Sure, you've proved that once. 

Rosa. Joe! 

Sam. If the mounted come up with me, it'll be 
the best man — savy ? 

Rosa. Joe, why do you keep talking about the 
mounted? ^O'Brian appears at door in time to 
hear this) 

O'Brian. The mounted, eh? Why, Miss Larra- 
bee — you're lookin' almost pale — has he been tellin' 
ye stories about the mounted ? 

Rosa. Yes ( O'Brian looks hard at Ham- 
ner, who sterns very uneasy) 

O'Brian. Well, well, he must know something 
about them to tell ye stories — and maybe he'd like 
to know more. Would ye? 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 51 

Hamner. (Slouching uneasily away to r. a little) 
No, I ain't particularly interested. 

(WARN) 

O'Brian. Whenever ye feel ye just can't help 
talkin' about the mounted, don't frighten a lady with 
your bloodthirsty tales — come around and talk to 
me, savy? 

Sam. Stranger — my sister says you want a 
guide 

Hamner. Why 

O'Brian. (Comes down c.) Well? (Looking 
at him) 

Hamner. Nothing. 

O'Brian. Just so. Will ye guide me, Mr. Larra- 
bee? 

Sam. Yes — if there's no hard feelin' 'bout what 
I said to yer before dinner. 

O'Brian. (Offering his hand) Hard feeling — 
not as much as would choke a fly. Miss Larrabee, 
will you take a poor wanderer under your roof ? 

Rosa. Of course 

Sam. Come on, then — we'll hit the trail for 
home. 

O'Brian. Home. That sounds good. Sure 
that's the best place in all the woHd no matter where 
it is. (Gun business — song. Sam exits — O'Brian 
throws his rifle in the hollozc of his arm, turns to 
Hamner and with eyes on Hamner takes Rosa's 
arm, places it in fos and starts off singing. Ham- 
ner takes a quick step towards them — O'Brian 
turns. Hamner stops short and O'Rrtan turns and 
exits l.c, singing. Hamner looks after them) 

CURTAIN 



ACT III 

Time : — Three weeks later. 

Scene: Sam's cabin on the Great Elk. The room 
is a simple log living-room, that shows the ef- 
fects of a clever woman's care. All the fixtures- 
are rustic. There are no cheap prints or pic- 
tures on the wall. A number of skins are hang- 
ing about — bear, wolf and caribou. A large 
pair of caribou antlers hang over the fireplace 
r.c. used as a gun rack. A Winchester, a shot 
gun and an old flintlock on them. A door back 
r.c. and double windows left of it with buck- 
skin curtains. A rustic table c. (all the bark 
off the wood), rustic chairs and rocking chairs 
about. Fireplace c. between door and zvindows 
— woodbox by it. Ladder r., leading to a 
square room up r.c. Several deer's feet are 
stuck into the log walls, used as pegs. From 
one of these hangs a cartridge belt and empty 
holster. A number of mounted heads are hang- 
ing on wall. The logs in the fireplace are burnt 
out, leaving only charred embers and ashes. 
Snowshoes hung up. Birch-bark boxes with 
ferns in windows. Deer skin on table. Cop- 
per kettle and crane in fireplace. Several 
photographs, reproductions of good paintings, 
framed in little home-made frames on wall. It 
is early morning, but no sunrise effect must be 
5^ 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 53 

g zren here. The door is closed, but the win- 
dow is open. Outside, everything appears wet 
— not foggy, but crisp and sparkling, showing 
the Spring thaw has come; the snow has gone 
and the first sign of green shows in the forest. 
DISCOVERED: Sam's head appears in the 
window, looking around, then speaks to Rose 
without. 

Sam. (l.c. outside) Guess he ain't up yet, Rosa. 
(Looking up at Rosaj He sure does sleep sound. 

Rosa. (Conies around, enters through door, 
conies down to table c, starting to put laurel in jar 
on table) Well, let the poor man sleep, he's not 
used to our early hours. 

Sam. (Mysteriously calling her) Rosa. fRosA 
crosses to Sam, leaving laurel on table c.) There 
was a bobcat screechin' around during' the night. 
Maybe it scared him to death. 

Rosa. (Flaring up — crosses down to hearth, 
swecpiva ashes into fire and putting a few sticks on 
fire ) He's "ot afraid of a bobcat or anything else. 
'(Blaze up a little) 

Sam. Gosh, Rosa! You come uo to the surface 
just like a trout for a fly, every time Kelwav's name 
is mentioned. Be carefu 1 — fRosA stops) — little girl. 
T guess he's a bi<^ bug where he comes from. 

Rosa. (Sweeping again ) I think bug is a very 
misleading" name for Mr. Kelway. 

Sam. (Laughing ) There yer come again. Yer 
rot a bad looking trout either, Rosa, and you've 
got prettier red spots than any trout T ever saw. 
fRos.\ knocking the wing once or twice with her 
hands to shake the dust out. Crosses to table, tak*s 
stone jar, goes up to door, fills far from water 
bucket outside. Brings jar back to table C.J Gee! 
it must be funny to be in love. 



54 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

Rosa. (Crosses up to Sam ) What do you know 
about being in love, Buddie? 

Sam. (Taking her face in h ; s hands) I know 
what it is to love the best little sister God ev^r pm 
on earth. We 1 !, me for the woodnil.e. ("Sam goes 
back to chopping log or exits r. zvhere he is seen 
cutting zvood. Rosa comes back to tab*e, arr n vnc~ 
laurel in jar and puts it about V«e room. T~ h ~~ 
some laurel, crosses down to flrr Place l. and puts it 
in vase on mantel. Severn] t\m n s sh n stobs an** 
looks at the trap in the ceiling. She is haPPv a"d 
singing a little snatch of song as sh* puts the flow- 
ers about. Radley appears at back and talks to 
Sam. Enter Radley c. He comes down r c. look- 
ing around, follozved by Sam who stands in door- 
way) 

Radley. Good-morning, Rosa. 

Rosa. Good morning. Isn't it pretty early for 
you to have come over? 

Radley. Why, I just came over to get n couple 
o' skins, an' to tell you we're goin' to drive this 
morHn'. River's way up and all's ready. 

Rosa. (Crosses up l. to Sam) Oh! We must 
tell Mr. Kelway. I know he'd love to see a log 
drive. 

Radley. Well, let's tell him then. Where does 
he bunk? 

Rosa. Up there. (Pointing to hole in ceiling) 

Radley. I'll get him down quick enough. 
(Starts for ladder) 

Rosa. (Starting toward him, coming down to 
l. of table) Oh, no, you mustn't wake him. 

Radley. (Turning back) Why not? Shock of 
waking up be too much for him? (All th ; s time 
Sam is standing amused in the doorway) 

Rosa. No, he doesn't like to be waked. (Rad- 
\ ev turns as if to go up the ladder. Rosa speaking 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED ^ 

to detain him, putting remainder of laurel in bowl 
on table) 

Radley. Oh, he doesn't like to be. Some of the 
boys have gone down river already. Hadn't I bet- 
ter wake up his nibs, so's he can see the drive? 
(Turning toward ladder again) 

Rosa. (Stopping him) We'll call him as soon 
as breakfast's ready. 

Radley. Oh, as soon as breakfast's ready. 

Rosa. You'll have a bite before you leave. 

Sam. (Coming dozen stage r.) Sure, that's 
what you'll do. There's a paper oily a couple o 5 
weeks old. Rosa, you skip to the cookin' shack and 
get breakfast. 

Rosa. All right. (Starts toward door, but stops) 
But don't wake him. 

Radley. No — I won't wake him. I'll si"g lulla- 
bies to him. (Ext Rosa c. } laughing, then goes 
off l.J Happy, isVt she? (Picks up paper) 

Sam. Why shouMn't she be? Make yourself 
comfortable. I'll finish my job. ("Sam exits R. at 
O'Brian's entrance. Through the scene that fol- 
lows Sam is seen outside, cutting wood. Radley 
puts paper on rockhig chair, crosses stealthily to 
fire box, gets small billet of wood and, looking to 
see that he is not watched, crosses to r.h. under 
door to upper room and throws it through the upper 
door. It falls above with a bang) 

O'Brian. (Above, sleepily) Right in the eve, 
the eye. CouMVt you find an axe? Making a 
wood-pile out of my room. 

Radley. (Beneath the door, in a loud whisper^) 
I must see you at once. 

O'Brian. I'll not be. able to see you if you keep 
hitting me in the eye with sticks of wood. I'm not 
awake yet. Good night. fRXDLEY crosses quickly 
to fire, takes another stick of wood and tfiroivS it up. 



56 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

It is not heard to fall) Ouch! Great snakes* what 
do you think I am — a woodpile ? Who are ye — and 
what do ye want ? 

Radley. I must see you at once. (He takes 
rocking chair and pats it tinder the hole, then sits 
apparently reading paper^ but really talking to 
O'Brian) 

O'Brian. (Puts head out of door) Who is it 
takes such a playful way to wake me up? Oh — it's 
you ! Well, the first time I find ye sleeping after a 
hard night's work, sure Til drop a whole tree on ye. 

Radley. (Apparently reading) The drive is o~>. 
The men'll be leaving in a few hours. If anything's 
doing, it's got to be do^e quick. Once the men get 
away from here you'll have the devil's time locating 
the man you want. 

O'Brian. (Yawning) I'm having the devil's 
time stopping those hunks of wood you're throwing 
at me. But did ye wake me up to tell me that bit 
of news? 

Radley. Yes. It's now or never. 

O'Brian. Man, man, you're getting me so ex- 
cited I'm forgetting to get dressed. But don't you 
worry. You'll get your Sergeantcy all right. Un- 
less I miss my guess I'll have the man we want 
to-day. 

Radley. What do you know ? 

O'Brian. Not an awful lot. 

Radley. I mean what have you found out? 

O'Brian. I'll tell yer. While you've been sleep- 
ing all night I've been out taking little moonlight 
strolls. As ye can see, the snow's all gone — melted 
— I think. Well, this morning I found what I've 
been looking for ever since I've been here. 

Radley. What? 

O'Brian. The body of Jed Brown. ^Radley 
springs to his feet) 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 57 

Radley. Did you? Where? 

O'Brian. Sit down, man, sit down. Don't get 
so excited. You'll make so much noise you'll wake 
me up in a minute. ^Radley sits) People don't do 
that when they read papers. 

Radley. Where did you find the body ? 

O'Brian. Lying in Smoky Pass. I didn't have 
more than ten minutes — it was getting so light — and 
ye know I had to be back before these good people 
are up. But I found what'll hang somebody. 

Radley. What ? 

O'Brian. Two forty-one calibre shells. The 
man was shot twice and carried a forty-five him- 
self. 

Radley. Forty-one calibre is uncommon around 
here. 

O'Brian. It is. That's why it will get someone 
into trouble. Now, get away from here quick and 
see which one of the men uses a forty-one. When 
you get that information let me know quick. 
(^O'Brian disappears) 

Rosa. (Is seen passing window l. at back. En- 
ters at door with some breakfast things: hot coffee 
in pot, ear them pot of hot beans) Didn't I hear you 
speaking? fRosA puts coffee down in ashes of fire- 
place. She takes articles on table up to shelf up 
l.c, takes off deer skin cover and throws it over 
couch up r.c v takes tablecloth from shelf l.c. and 
spreads it over table) 

Radley. I always read aloud. Can't help it. 
(Reads half aloud) "Calls Senator a liar — term 
used frequently in the United States Senate." Ha, 
ha, that's purty good! (Rising and going toward 
door c.) If you'll excuse me, Miss Larrabee, I be- 
lieve I'll hike oft". I've got quite a bit on hand to- 
day. 



58 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

Rosa. I know the drive doesn't wait for any- 
body's breakfast. 

Radley. (Going) I'll see you again before I go. 
(He goes out and is seen going off with Sam r.) 

Rosa. (Spreading cloth. Putting breakfast 
things on table — sings. O'Brian appears at door 
of his room tip R.c. He is dressed in hunting 
clothes, but without coat. Rosa is l. of table, 
smoothing cloth. When O'Brian is halfway down 
the ladder — laughing) 

O'Brian. Good morning. (Stops on ladder) 

Rosa. Oh ! What woke you up ? 

O'Brian. I heard an angel singing and some- 
body threw a load of wood on me. 

Rosa. Really, no jesting, what did wake you 
up? 

O'Brian. (On ladder) Something fell — that is, 
fell softly on my ear — no, on my head, here's the 
lump. fRosA laughs) I heard sweet strains of a 
little song, sung by a voice that would make a Bob 
White weep with envy. 

Rosa. (Crossing r. to cupboard and bringing 
over a plate, knife, fork and spoon. Fixing flowers) 
I must tell Sam not to sing so early in the morning, 
if it disturbs you. 

O'Brian. Sam's voice ! Sure, I said Bob White 
— not bob cat ! 

Rosa. (Crossing r. for cup and saucer) Your 
breakfast will be here right away. 

O'Brian. Breakfast! Sure I'm not hungry. 

Rosa. Not hungry? Why, you haven't had a 
thing to eat. 

O'Brian. (Crossing l.J No, but I've seen your 

face and that's food enough for me (SONG: 

"O YOU GIRL." After song) 

Rosa. Your stay hasn't been much of a success, 
has it? 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 59 

O'Brian. Well, I don't think I'd say that, at 
least not till I've had a bit of a talk with you. 

Rosa. Now please eat your breakfast so you can 
go up the river and see the log drive. 

O'Brian. What a great sight a log drive is. The 
way those devils, like Eastern and Long Jack over 
there, play with their lives ! Sure, it's wonderful ! 
(He disappears as though washing his face) 

Rosa. (Stopping c. above table) Oh, you've 
seen a drive before ! I was hoping I could show 
you your first. 

O'Brian. (Leaning way in the windozv) Sure 
if you'll show it to me — it'll seem like the first. 

Sam. (Entering with breakfast things. Crosses 
to table, puts burnt venison and baked potatoes on 
table. Rosa crosses l.) Say, Rosa, everything's 
charred worse than a pine stump. 

Rosa. (Busy with things l v getting coffee and 
beans from fireplace and putting them on table. 
Stand r. of table) Oh — oh — yes, the fire was very 
hot this morning, Sam! (^O'Brian finishes his toilet 
and comes in through door to c.) 

Sam. (r.) Fire's always tolerable warm. 
(Laughing ) I guess Lee's talkin' had something ter 
do with it. 

Rosa. I'm afraid it did. What was it you were 
saying about hunting in the East, Mr. Kelwav ? 
(They all sit at table. O'Brian at back, Rosa l. 
Sam rJ 

O'Brian. I was saying when you hunt deer in 
the Adirondacks you wear a red suit and pink rib- 
bons on your hat and you carry a large bell and a 
telephone. Won't you (Indicating breakfast ) 

Rosa. We've had ours. 

O'Brian. Then when you sight a deer in the 
Adirondacks you ring the bell so that all the other 
hunters stalking the same deer will wave a red flag 



60 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

and let you know where they are. (Rosa helps him 
to beans, puts sugar in cup and pours coffee) Then 
you call up your friends, and family, on the tele- 
phone to make sure they're safe and the deer isn't 
one of them. Then if the deer's not dead with 
fright — you shoot it. 

Rosa. (Handing O'Brian his coffee and helping 
him to venison, etc.) That must be very exciting". 

O'Brian. Thanks. The exciting part is when 
your friend thinks the red flag" you're waving is a 
deer's tail and the buttons on your coat are his eyes 
and shoots you. (Hamner appears in the doorway 
from r.c.J 

Hamner. (Just inside doorway. Nods to 
O'Brian ) Morning, Rosa. 

O'Brian. Speaking of the devil. (Eats) 

Hamner. Sam, I want a word with yer an' I 
ain't got much time ter spare. (Exits c. door go- 
ing l. Jerks his head to indicate he wants Sam to 
follow. Sam, with a glance at Rosa, follows 
Hamner and exits) 

O'Brian. (Sitting c.) Do ye know — the only 
reason — I'm glad to see Hamner come here — is that 
— it gives us a chance for a little chat. 

Rosa. (Sitting l.cJ Even that — doesn't make 
me glad — to see him. ("O'Brian drinks coffee) Do 
you remember the first day you and I met? 

O'Brian. Do I remember it? Do I remember 
the happiest moment of my life? (Sitting c.) Sure, 
there are harder things than that to remember. 

Rosa. You said I was a woman — alone in the 
wilderness — and — whenever he — comes up here 

O'Brian. I know — you're just as pleased to see 
him as if you run a nail in your foot and that goes 
for me, too. He's one of those people who show us 
that there are worse things than loneliness. Sure, 
we've seen the sun set almost every night — for 



THE RCYAL MOUNTED Ci 

weeks — and every time — I hoped ye'd make nr; 
happy by tellin' me what's troubling ye. For there 
is something — I knew it the first day I looked into 
your eyes — and — it's still there. 

Rosa. Oh, it's one of those things — we must 
fight out by ourselves. 

O'Brian. Is it now — are ye sure? (Pushing 
chair back and looking toward c. door) I wonder 
if it's got anything to do with Hamner 

Rosa. What makes you think that? 

O'Brian. (Sitting c.) Every time he comes — 
ye get that queer hunted look in your eyes. Sure, 
I can't understand it at all. Can't you tell me what 
it is? 

Rosa. (Still sitting l.c. O'Brian starts to eat ) 
Well, you know he wants me to marry him 

O'Brian. (Rising) The murderin' blackguard. 
He stands as much show to marry you as a one- 
legged man in a kicking match. Now, my dear girl. 
speakin' absolutely as a disinterested party, I shou'd 
advise strongly against such a match. 

Rosa. (Amused) Would you? Really? 

O'Brian. Oh, yes — oh, yc: — oh, yes, yes, yes, 
yes. (Slowly) I think I should. In the first place 
— he'd never take ye away — from all this — you 
would have to live here the rest of your life. 

Rosa. Oh, but I don't wa^t to leave my woods ! 

O'Brian. Just so — and in the second place — 
he'd be sure to take ye away from your dear little 
home and settle in tov/n — just think — you might be 
hit with a trolley car and ye'd never see another 
sunset. Of course I don't want to prejudice ye 
against him or belittle him — so I merely tell ye that 
he's a lyin' brute of a bandit — with no more soul 
in him than an onion. 

Rosa. Do you want to sav any more? 

O'Brian. I could, but think I'd better not. 



62 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

Why, the thought of you marrying that man— By 
Heavens — it makes me blood run cold all over ! 

Rosa. (Rising) Well — if it will relieve your 

mind (Business) I can't tell you what I think 

of him. fRosA gathers plates and coffee pot to- 
gether) 

O'Brian. Neither can I. I'm too much of a 
gentleman. But my dear Miss Rosa, ye mustn't 
frighten me like that again — sure I've a weak 

heart fRosA laughs and takes dirty dishes to 

door c. Puts them outside. O'Brian helps her) 
I used to be housekeeper — well — f O'Brian crosses) 
— another little joke like that and ye'll have a sick 
man on your hands. fRosA crosses r.) Sure I 
haven't had such a fright since the Governor turned 
me from my home in Ireland a^d thank Heaven he 
dj'd — bless the dear old boy. Because he and I had 
different ideas of happi^es^. fRosA comes down r. 
of table to take rest of dishes) 

Rosa. (r. of table) You n^ver told me what 
you and your father quarrelled ?bout. 

O'Brian (l. of table) Didn't I now? 

Rosa. No. 

O'Brian. And don't ye know? 

Rosa. I haven't the slightest idea. 

O'Brian. (Leanivj over table Well — we quar- 
relled about you 

Rosa. ^r. of table) About me! Why, you had 
never even heard of me ! (She collects coffee pot, 
etc.) 

O'Brian. (Coming in front of table) Ah — that 
was just the trouble. I told him all about ye — and 
so I left Ireland to find you — and convince the Gov- 
ernor that he was wrong and I was right. 

Rosa. I do^'t know whether you know it — but 
I can't understand a single word you're saying. 
(Takes things up to door — puts them outside) 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 63 

O'Brian. (Sitting on corner of table) Ye'll be 
surprised when ye do — fRosA comes down again l. 
of table) — for Tve a secret to tell ye about myself 
— and then you'll understand. In fact, I've two se- 
crets to tell you — and one of them you can't help 
understanding. 

Rosa. (Stopping, business with dishes and com- 
ing down c. a step. Seriously) It will be an ex- 
change then, for I have a secret to tell you. 

O'Brian. (Crossing) Ah, the saints grant you 
have two secrets and one of them is just like mine. 

Rosa. (Turning away to l.cJ Mine is a ter- 
rible secret. 

O'Brian. Terrible ! Wait till ye hear mine — 
but — sure, I don't believe any secret of yours can 
terrify me ! 

Rosa. (Turning back to him) That is why I 
may tell you. 

O'Brian. Mine is a beautiful secret — but it 
won't be a secret if I stay near you five minutes 
longer. 

Rosa. (Turning up c.) Perhaps I'd better go 
and see what Sam's doing. 

O'Brian. (l. below table) Perhaps ye'd better 
not — fRosA stops) — for maybe I don't want to keep 
my secret any longer. I may be called away 
very suddenly and I'd rather never see Ireland 
again than leave here without telling you that 
secret. 

Rosa. (Rather flustered. Turning to couch, tak- 
ing deerskin covering down and spreading it over 
table) Dear me ! Do — do you want to see Ireland 
very much ? 

O'Brian. (Also a trifle flustered. Helping her 
lay the skins) I do — but not as much as I want to 
see you see Ireland. fRosA comes down to chair 
r.c, sits. O'Brian crosses to her) 



64 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

Rosa. But I thought you couldn't return to your 
home on account of ? 

O'Brian. I couldn't. But any moment I may 
gain the success that wtM open the Governor's heart 
and door to me — and then — well — I said to myself 
— "There's a girl, there's a girl," you are a girl, 
aren't you? Well, there's a girl who's my ideal. 
She can bring down a bull moose or serve tea in a 
drawing-room — I — in fact — she — I never ran out of 
words in my life before — so I'll come to the end — 
I — I (He has gotten the corner of the table- 
cloth in his hand and is nervously stuffing it in his 
pocket) Sure, I don't know what the devil I'm 
talking about. Faith. Rosa, it's an awful job to say 
— love-— and not sound foolish! 

Rosa. (With a little laugh) Is it? 

O'Brian. But it's the one word I've been think- 
ing of ever sr~ce I've been here. Sure, I've been 
dreaming it a"d trying to say it. It's so big 
when you think it — and — a^d kind of funny 
when you say : t. But that's it, Rosa — I'm think- 
ing it now — hard — and with all the strength 
there is in me. Rosa, I want you to be my 
wife. 

Rosa. (Look? at him a moment as though to an- 
swer, then realiziva her secret she rises and crosses 
l.c. on the line. Shoiving how deeply she feels zvhat 
he has said) You haven't heard what I have to 
tell you. 

O'Brian. ^Following her) I'll hear it after- 
wards — I mean the terrible part. Tell me the other 
part — now ! 

Rosa. (Stopping with her back to him) How 
do vou know there is one? 

O'Brian. (She turns to him) I have a big feel- 
ing here in my hear* and I can read a happiness c o 
big in your eyes that it's all I can do to prevent 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 65 

taking you in my arms and — and — showing you how 
strong I am. 

Rosa. (Laughing) Are you — I mean — do you 
— er — have you ? 

O'Brian. (Taking her hand) Just tell me I've 
read your eyes right 

Rosa. (With a little sigh) You're awfully 
clever at reading faces. -.; 

O'Brian. (Taking her in his arms) Rosa, 
darlin' — I love ye — there — it's all over — I've said it 
— and it doesn't sound foolish after all, does it? 

Rosa. Not to me. (^O'Brian starts to kiss Rosa. 
She frees herself gently) Wait 

O'Brian. No — let's wait afterward. 

Rosa. Before you say another word, I want you 
to know what is hanging over me. 

O'Brian. (Baeks a couple of steps r. Music 
stops) I know what's hanging over you — here it 
is. Tell me, dear, if ye want to 

Rosa. (Turns up l. for a second — glances out 
of window and door. O'Brian crosses R.c. She 
comes down to lower L. corner of table. Looks 
around to see that no one overhears and after a 
moment's pause, speaks) You've heard the men at 

the camp speak of Jed Brown (^O'Brian starts 

— looks at Rosa J 

O'Brian. Oh, never mind Jed Brown — keep 
him out of this — two's company — three's a crowd. 

Rosa. (With an outburst) He was a beast ! He 
deserved what he got J 

O'Brian. (Starting back) I dare say he do- 
served all he got. 

Rosa. I wish I'd killed him. 

O'Brian. (Music) Thank God ye didn't. 

Rosa. You're strong and brave. You don't 
know the joy of having someone to tell — someone 
who can help — someone you love! Sometimes it 



66 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

seemed as though I must tell — as though it would 
come out — as though I were about to scream it aloud 
and couldn't stop my voice. Down there in Calgary 
— before the police — a devil in me was cry- 
ing— "Tell them — tell them — tell them how your 
brother " 

O'Brian. (Starting back) My God! Don't— 
don't, Rosa — don't say another word. Rosa 
—don't tell me arty more! I don't want to 
know ! 

Rosa. I must— I must tell you. 

O'Brian. Rosa, I'll not listen to another word. 
You shouldn't have told me ! Good God ! 
(Crosses r. ) 

Rosa. Why not? If nothing could make any 
difference 

O'Brian. I'll tell you why not. It isn't the dif- 
ference you mean — but it will make a difference 
with you, sweetheart. You've told me your secret 
—it makes what I have to tell you more terrible. 
But I'll tell vou, Rosa, and if God is good He'll help 
me to find the way. 

Radley. (Appears at door. As Radley speaks 
Rosa steps qu ; ckly l. O'Brian follows her. Rad- 
ley comes down r.c. Music stops) Mr. Kelway, I 
must see you quick ! I'm sorry to butt in, but I 
must see you. 

Rosa. I didn't know you knew any of the men. 

O'Brian. I do this one. (Crosses to Radley,) 
Can't you wait? 

Radley. No, sir ; you'll excuse me, Miss Larra- 
bee, won't yer ? 

Rosa. Why, yes. I'll go. (Crosses up toward 
door) But I don't understand 

O'Brian. (Crossing up to her. To her) I'll 
explain it all as soon as I get rid of him. (Radley 
'stands down rJ 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 67 

Rosa. What I told you seems to have changed 
you somehow 

O'Brian. No, dear, you're wrong. And you 
didn't tell me anything. 

Rosa. But 

O'Brian. You didn't tell me anything — remem- 
ber — you didn't tell me anything fRosA exits 

c, turns r. O'Brian coming down around l. of 
table to c.) Well? 

Radley. I've got good news. I know who killed 
Jed Brown. 

O'Brian. Good news, eh! God! Good news! 

Radley. I have found the man who carries a 
41 calibre. He hasn't carried it lately — but there's 
only been one around these parts for some time. 

O'Brian. (c, looks at Radley and draws him- 
self up) Well? 

Radley. ^r.c. below O'Brian ) It's not only 
the gun that gives him away — but I mentioned 
Smoky Pass to him — and I knew he was the man. 

O'Brian. Who is it? 

Radley. Sam Larrabee. 

O'Brian. Her brother. (They look at each 
other for a moment in silence) 

Radley. You'll get your lieutenancy, sir. (With 
enthusiasm) And I my Sergeancy. 

O'Brian. Nothing in God's world will make her 
believe me now. 

Radley. I've worked hard for a Sergeancy, sir, 
pnd. shanks to vou, I've got it. Will you let me be 
the first to shake hands with Lieutenant O'Brian? 
(He offers his hand) 

O'Brian. Thanks for the sentiment, Radley ; 
but I'll not shake hands on that. (He turns away 
L v thinking) 

Radley. You don't act as though you cared a 
great deal. 



68 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

O'Brian. Care, care, my God, man — I care more 
than ye'll ever know— 

Radley. Say (Crosses to him l.c.J Do 

you mean his sister ? 

O'Brian. See here, Corporal — we're here as sol- 
diers. (Turns away) 

Radley. I'll send him in — he's unarmed and we 
can take him easy. (Starts around r. of table to 
door) 

O'Brian. I'll take him — (^Radley stops r. of 
table) — alone. 

Radley. Oh! You want all the credit for get- 
ting him. 

O'Brian. You heard my orders — send him to 
me. 

Radley. (Salutes) Yes, sir. (Starts to exit. 
Hickey appears in doorway r.) 

Hickey. Is Mr. Kelway here ? 

Radley. Yes (Points to Kelway and ex- 
its) 

Hickey. (Coming down r.c.J Oh — hello — Kel- 
way- 



O'Brian. Hickey — you shouldn't have come here 
— have you forgotten Miss Larrabee saw you in 
Calgary — she'd remember you 

Hickey. I had to see you — I've found a trace of 

Snake Butler- — and I want you — to (^Rosa's 

song outside) 

O'Brian. She's coming back — here, come out 
this way. (Takes Hickey out l. door. Rosa runs 
in singing, pauses at seeing no one, then crosses 
to foot of ladder — calls up) 

Rosa. Are you upstairs ? 

Hamner. (Appears at window) Rosa 

fRosA turns. Hamner enters. Rosa stands r. of 
table) I've been waitin' fer a chance to see yer 

Rosa. Oh — have you come to say good-bye? 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 69 

Hamner. (Going to table) No, I haven't. 

Rosa. * (Turning up to door) Did you pass Mr. 
Kelway ? . 

Hamner. (Crossing r.) Mr. Kelway — Mr. Kel- 
way ! Before I leave here I'm goin' ter tell you a 
few things that'll make yer think more o' me an' 
less o' Mr. Kelway. 

Rosa. Don't be foolish, Joe 

Hamner. (Leaning over the table) I've stopped 
being foolish. You come down river with me to a 
preacher or Sam goes down with the mounted 
police. 

Rosa. I'm not afraid of you any more. I was 
alone when you made that threat to me before. I'm 
not now. 

Hamner. Yer ain't? Who do you mean? Not 

Kelway (Laughs and turns down lJ That's 

funny. 

Rosa. (Steps down stage to lower corner of 
table) You may not think so 

Hamner. (Turning back to her) An' you're 
countin' on Kelway ter help yer git Sam out er 
trouble, are you — do you love him ? 

Rosa. (Turning as though to start for door) 
You can question him if you like. 

Hamner. An' do you think he cares a damn 
about you? 

Rosa. (Going toward door) You can ask him 
that, too. 

Hamner. Hold on, Rosa. ("Rosa stops) I'll 
save yer fool brother in spite o' you. ("Rosa comes 
down R.C.J Because I love yer. I'll save you an' 
r'sk ^rouble for myself, because T love yer. I'll fin- 
ish Kelway's show with you, if he hangs me for it. 
Do you know who he is? No, you don't. Well, 1 
do. His name ain't Kelway. 

Rosa. (r.C.J Well, what of it ! 



jo THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

Hamner. (At l. corner of table) You let him 
make love to yer, did yer? (Music) You think 
he'll help your brother, eh ? By God ! That's fu ny ! 
Why, he's Victor O'Bria^ o' the Mounted, an' he's 
after the man who killed Jed Brown. 

Rosa. Do you think you can frighten me that 
way? 

Hamner. Honest tt God — yer can ask hi™. 
He's out there row — (Points to door l.i.e.J — with 
his pal from the Sta f cs, a rheriff. Now, if you 
wai)t to save Sam, git him out o' the way quick. 
(Rosa hesitatingly starts for door, stops at upper 
corner of table, turns on Hamner,) 

Rosa. Don't lie to me, Joe — it — it is a lie, isn't 
it? 

Hamner. There ai't no huntin' now. Why do 
you suppose he's stayin' here? 

Rosa. For — for — mc (Turns away r. ) 

Hamner. A v ha*: does he care for you? He's 
been making love to yer — to find out what yer 
k^ow 

Rosa. (With her back stilt to him as though to 
convince herself) That's a lie ! 

Hamner. Ask him if he ain't Devil M'Care o r 
the Mounted. 

Rosa. (In a whisper. Hamner is against table, 
watching her intently) Sergeant Devil M'Care. 
(The horror begins to dawn, on her. Standing mo- 
tionless R.cJ I told him — / told him Sam did it. 

/ — / (Perfectly naturally, crossing r.c. ) No 

— he couldn't have lied to me like tha r — he coukln't 

— he couldn't (Hamner edges round to r. of 

ta h le, zva+ching her ) 

Hamner. He did — didn't he? An' they'll hang 
Sam just as high whether he did or rot. (Stop 
music) 

Rosa. (Starting for door) I must tell Sam. He 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 71 

must get away at once. (Stops up l.c.) Away — 
where — I've put the Mounted on his trail. (Comes 
back to l. of table) You go down to the gorge as 
though nothing had happened. I'll find Sam and 
warn him. (Turns down L.J 

Hamner. Remember — I've saved you an' your 
brother both 

Rosa. (Turning on him) Don't — don't! (Ham- 
ner up to door c.) 

Hamner. All right — but I'll come back. (Exit 
r v shuts door) 

Rosa. (Goes up to window l.cJ Where can 

Sam be ? I must find" him (Down to fireplace, 

reaching for rifle. Stops, thmking) Oh! And all 
the time — he — (She goes sobbing to door — staggers 
to door, opens it with both hands, pauses on thres- 
hold for last line then exits quietly c. to l.h.J — was 
o^ly — trying to fi"d out — and — he made me love 
him. Oh — he needn't have done that — he needn't 

have made me love him (Exit. A pause. 

Radley enters, carrying rifle — looks around — 
crosses to door l., opens it) 

Radley. Mr. O'Brian (Crosses under 

O'Brian's door and calls up) 

O'Brian. (Entering, follozved by Hickey u.l.c. ) 
Yes 



Radley. I've fou~d him- 



O'Brian. Where is Miss Larrabee? 

Radley. (Pointing r.) Go^e ofif that way — bur 
she'll be right here — I'll wait behind the shed. 

Hickey. What's doing? 

O'Brian. This is Corporal Radley. Would you 
mind waiting with him? 

Hickey. (A whisper or low void ) Not a 

bit (Crosses to Radley at door) What's up 

— is it your man? 

O'Brian. Yes. 



72 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

Hickey. I'm with you, Corporal. (Exit with 
RadleyJ 

Radley. You'll have a cinch, Mr. O'Brian — he's 
not armed. (They exit c. door and off r. O'Brian 
looks out of window — walks dozvn l., then back to 
l.c. where he stands facing the door. He shows 
the mental strain he is under. Sam enters and stops 
r.g., looks at O'Brian) 

Sam. (r.c.) You sent for me, Lee? 

O'Brian. Yes. Are you armed? 

Sam. Why, no. 

O'Brian. Where's your gun? 

Sam. Behind that deer skin. (Points to wall r. 
&f c. door at back) 

O'Brian. What calibre is it? 
.. Sam. Forty-one. 

■ O'Brian. Get it. ( Sam crosses to wall r.c, 
puts his hand behind the deerskin, takes down 
cartridge belt and gun and draws out a blued steel 
forty-one Colt. He crosses around — passes around 
the r. end and meets O'Brian in front of the 
table) 

Sam. Here it is. 

O'Brian. (c.) Is it loaded? 

Sam. (c.) Yes. 

O'Brian. (c.) Put it on. ^Sam slips the Colt 
in holster and buckles on belt) Now put your 
hands at your sides where I have mine. 

Sam. (Obeying) What is this — a new game? 

O'Brian. No, Sam, I'm Victor O'Brian of the 
Mounted Police — and now we start square. (Pause) 
i Sam. (Giving him a sharp look first, then quietly 
and smiling) Quit yer kidding. 

O'Brian. I'm not fooling. I'm in dead earnest, 
Sam. 

Sam. You're Sergeant Devil M'Care ! 

O'Brian. Yes. 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 73 

Sam. (With a start) Well, what are you doin' 
here? 

O'Brian. I'm after the man who killed Jed 
Brown. ( Sam's hand tightens and moves upward 
towards his holster) 

Sam. Well, what do yer come here for? 

O'Brian. For you. 

Sam. You damned ! (Both men's hands 

go to the hilt of their guns. Sam's first. 
Pause) 

O'Brian. Sam, I want you to get me if you can. 
I can't say all I want to. When I think of Rosa — 
I — I can't tell you. But I'm a member of the 
Mounted Police and you're the man I'm after. 
There are not two ways. If I take you back to 
Calgary, Sam, it means hanging. So get me if you 
can. 

Sam. You've been playing a game with my sis- 
ter, have yer? It's all right to take me if you can, 
but why didn't you keep her out of it? You've 
made her love you. I know you're a quick man, 
but so am I. I know you've killed your man be- 
fore — so have I. It's an even break — so let's have 
it. (^O'Brian gives a quick step up stage — pulling 
at the same instant. The position gives him the ad- 
vantage of half a second, so that his gun is against 
Sam's breast as Sam's gun leaves the holster. The 
picture is held for a second) 

O'Brian. You're not as quick at this game as I 
am. I've had more experience. Put out your hands. 
(With his left hand O'Brian draws a pair of hand- 
cuffs from his pocket. Sam lets his gun slip back 
in the holster and slowly holds out his hands. 
O'Brian crosses to him and locks the handcuffs on 
his wrists) Old man, I guess you know what duty 
is. You and I were built to be friends, but I'm a 
soldier and there aren't two ways. You don't know 



74 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

what this costs me. I love your sister and I wanted 
her to be my wife. 

Sam. Well, I know there's nothing personal. 
I'm glad it's all over and I can look men in the face 
again. And when I — when I'm through I'd kinder 
like to know my sister was goin' to marry Victor 
O'Brian o' the Mounted. So if you're asking my 
consent, Lee — why, you've got it. (He offers 
O'Brian his manacled hand. O'Brian seizes it. 
The door is quickly opened and shut and Rosa 
stands before them. Rosa stands for a minute mo- 
tionless, the horror and tenseness of the situation 
showing in her face. Then, with a stifled sob she 
goes to Sam's r. side) 

Rosa. Oh, Buddie, I did it! I told him! I 
thought he — I thought he loved me ! (She speaks 
through the dry s.obs that shake her. There is no 
noise in her grief) And I told him — I — I've killed 

you (Sam turns away his head not to let them 

see his face) 

O'Brian. (l.c.J Don't! Rosa — I — I can't see 
you suffer like this ! 

Rosa. (r. of Sam ) Buddie, speak to me. Tell 
me you forgive me 

Sam. (c.) It's all right— little girl. He did 
right. See, my gun was on. (Rosa quickly seises 
it — Sam prevents her) No — (Rosa crosses r.) — he 
took me square. It was hard for him, Rosa. He 
loves you, little girl. 

O'Brian. Not now, Sam — don't speak of that 
now 

Rosa. (Half frantic) Don't you see what he is 
— he's a spy — who tricked me to kill you, Buddie, 

to kill you (Crosses to O'Brian ) You 

wouldn't have known he did it, but for me. I told 
you. I told you. 

O'Brian. No— no — I wouldn't have taken him 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 75 

on that. Believe me — I found the evidence against 
him myself. 

Rosa. I don't believe you. (Crosses l. distract- 
edly, stands with back to audience) You played 
with me to find out what I knew. And I told you. 
I told you ! 

Sam. Rosa 

Rosa. (To O'Brian, crossing to him) Oh — let 
him go. He's all I have in the world — you won't 
take him away like this — let him go — and — I'll 
marry you — I'll give myself to you if you'll only 
let him go. 

O'Brian. (Looking straight before him, he turns 
his back to audience, taking a step up stage. After 
a pause) Sam, are you ready? (Music stops) 

Sam. Yes. 

Rosa. (Crossing around r. of table to between 
Sam and O'Brian J No, no, you sha'n't take him. 
It was my fault. He did it for me. He did it for 
me, I tell you. I'll go to the men at the gorge for 
help — you lied to me about yourself — you held me 
in your arms and kissed me to find out what you 

wanted to know — you coward — you coward 

(Exit) 

O'Brian. Sam — what did she mean when she 
said you did it for her? 

Sam. Oh, there's no use bringing her into it — I 
did it all right. 

O'Brian. Why did you kill Jed Brown? 

Sam. There was nothin' else to do 

O'Brian. Why? 

Sam. That Sunday they was walking up Smoky 
Pass — he thought he was alone with her — and he 
tried to take her for himself 

O'Brian. Good God! 

Sam. But I didn't like him none too well, and 1 
follered him like a lynx — and when 1 seen him 



76 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

a-holdin' her in his arms, and she a-strugglin' 
to save herself — I went right up to him — I 
didn't give him a chance to draw — I just shot him 

dead 

O'Brian. I thank God ye did- 



Sam. And I'll take what the law says, knowin' 
my sister can look the man she marries square in the 
eye. 

O'Brian. My life couldn't repay you for what 
you've done. 

Sam. Yes — but I can't prove it — they wouldn't 
believe Rosa. They'd say she was lying to save her 
brother — and you know how the prosecutor will 
treat her- — it's his business to hang me — and he 
won't stop at draggin' her name through the mud — 
to do it — God — that's the reason they lynch men in 
the States, to save their women from goin' on the 
stand. (^O'Brian starts to unlock cuffs) Hold on, 
Lee. This means prison for you. 

O'Brian. Prison for me — d'ye think I'd take ye 
in to give your life for what I'd have done myself? 
D'ye think I'll put Rosa on the stand where they'd 

make her die with the shame of it (Unlocking 

the handcuffs) No — you get away as quick as you 
can to Burnt Lake outlet — I'll send word to Rosa — 

then take her with you — here — here's your gun ■ 

(Giving it to him) 

Sam. You're a square man, Lee — you 

O'Brian. Never mind me — and get away. Rad- 
ley'll be back any minute. If he sees you, he'll shoot 
you from the door. When you get to the edge of 

the woods, fire two shots and I'll know yer safe 

(Putting him out l.c .) Now don't stop for anything 
— you make a jump for the woods — and fire two 
shots when you get there — good-bye, 

Sam. Good-bye, Lee ^O'Brian puts him 

out L.3, and turns as Radley enters c. with rifle J 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 77 

O'Brian. Well, Corporal, did ye get tired wait- 
ing 

Radley. Larrabee — where's Larrabee ? 

O'Brian. Sure, he's given us the slip — he's gone. 

Radley. What! Which way did he go? How 
did he get away ? 

O'Brian. I let him go- 



Radley. You let him — then I'll get him my- 
self— (Starts for door l., his gun down in his 

hand) 

O'Brian. No — no — ye'll not (^Radley 

comes face to face with O'Brian, who has him 
covered with revolver) Don't raise that gun — don't 
do it 

Radley. You're lettin' him go for the girl's sake 
— but you're ruining both of us. 

O'Brian. He did right but he can't prove it. 
Keep that gun quiet — it's liable to go off 

Radley. For God's sake, O'Brian, let me get 
out there before it's too late — this means court 
martial and prison for you. 

O'Brian. Don't ye finger that trigger, Rad- 
ley 

Radley. I had him safe enough — if I go back 
emptY-handed now — I'm disgraced 

O'Brian. You'll not go back empty-handed- 



Radley. Why not? (Tzvo shots outside in dis- 
tance) 

O'Brian. (Quietly reversing pistol and handing 
it to Radley J Because I'm your prisoner, Cor- 
poral — for treason to the Crown 

1 CURTAIN 

2 PICTURE 

3 ROSA 

4 COMPANY 



ACT IV 

Scene. Smoky Pass at sunrise the follozving morn- 
ing. The stage represents a plateau on a moun- 
tain trail. Back drop shows the valley with a 
distant range of mountains and one prominent 
snow-capped peak. A run comes down from 
r. to r.c v passing over rocks and fallen timber. 
Across the entire left side of the stage are the 
spruce and hemlock trees, some fallen, some 
upright, representing the rugged growth of the 
Canadian Rockies, l.c. is a small lean-to made 
of boughs. A tiny fire burns in the front of 
this. The entire stage is covered zvith fallen 
logs, rocks and dead limbs. At rise the first 
rays of the morning light have struck the snow- 
peak. Radley is asleep in the lean-to ; O'Brian, 
still handcuffed, is seated on a Ion looking into 
the fire. AT RISE: Lights— O'Brian sits up 
— still handcuffed. He goes up trail. 

O'Brian. Rosa, darling-, without you, I'M on a 
blind trail and I can't see the end. 

Radley. (Wakes; business as before) What 
are vou doing up there? 

O'Brtan. I'm watching the sun rise. Did you 
th : nk I was fishing? 

Radley. You'd better not try to get away. 

O'Brian. Now, me brainy boy, if I'd wanted to 
make a get-away do you think I'd have quietly 
handed my gun to you? 

78 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 79 

Radley. Well, I warn you not to try it. I'll 
drop you in your tracks if you do. 

O'Brian. Corporal, if anyone had told me you 
could be so disagreeable I'd never have believed 
them. 

Radley. That Sergeancy meant everything to 
me, and you lost it for me. 

O'Brian. Well, I tell ye, ye'll get mine. 

Radley. That's all right, but it's not going to 
increase my popularity any, bringing you back in 
irons. 

O'Brian. No, but it'll increase your pay. 

Radley. You seem pretty cool about it — say 
you, do you know what treason means? 

O'Brian. Yes, I know. 

Radley. You let Larrabee go on account of that 
girl, didn't you? Well, you'll pay for it all right, 
all right. 

O'Brian. All right — all right/ 

Radley. You don't seem to realize it means deg- 
radation for you, with fifteen or twenty years' hard 
labor. Do you know you've made yourself acces- 
sary to a murder — — 

O'Brian. Considering that you've been tell- 
ing me so every half -hour like a cuckoo clock, 
I do. 

Radley. Your being a friend of the Major's — 
won't help — he'd hang his own father — if he'd done 
what you have 

O'Brian. Corporal — ye know there's one thing 
I like about you — ye always try to cheer a man up 
— you have a disposition like two strange bulldogs. 

(Hearing Hickey r.) Hello — what's this 

^Radley grips gun; business. Hickey enters with 
MagJ 

' Hickey. Helloa O'Brian — thought if T walked 
most of the night I could catch up with you — before 



80 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

you broke camp. (To MagJ Go on! How's the 
prisoner ? 

O'Brian. Sure, the prisoner's feeling grand. 
Did ye ever have this lad with ye for company- 
he keeps you laughing all the time. Helloa, Miss 
Mag — what are you doing here ? 

Hickey. . Well, I'm hot on the trail of Snake 
Butler at last. 

O'Brian. Are ye — but 

Hickey. Yesterday when we were waiting for 
you to take your man, the Corporal told me the 
crowd were at the gorge so I didn't wait to see the 
fun but lit, and I've fou~d some of the Snake But- 
ler cash 

O'Brian. Have ye row 7 ? 

Hickey. And who do you think had it? 

O'Brian. I can't guess. 

Hickey. This girl Mag. 

O'Brian. (Rising) Mag? 

Hickey. (Seeing O'Brian handcuffed) Well, 
what the 

O'Brian. Say, it is Hell (Holding them 

oat) Oh — there's been a bit of a mix-up and Cor- 
poral Radley's in charge of things now. You say 
Mag had one of those gold double eagles? 

Hickey. Yes — Devil M'Care has taken a tum- 
ble, has he? But business is business with me. 
Corporal, will you kindly nip this girl for having 
some of the Snake Butler loot on her? 

Radley. Sure. (Rises) 

O'Brian. Just a minute, Corporal. I hate to be 
intrudin' in your private affairs, but while yer both- 
erin' with this girl the man ye want will be making 
tracks. Mag, where did you get that money? 

Mag. Ah aH't tellin' nuthin'. 

O'Brian. Then you know something you could 
tell if you wanted to? 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 8i 

Mag. No, Ah don't know nothin\ 

O'Brian. Mag, you love Joe Hamner, don't 
. you? 

Mag. No. 

O'Brian. (Smiling at her) Tell me. 

Mag. (Hesitatingly) Yes. 

O'Brian. He gave you that gold piece. 

Mag. (Frightened) No, he didn't give it to 
me. 

O'Brian. I thought so. 

Mag. (Getting mad) Ah tell you he didn't give 
it to me. 

O'Brian. That's what makes me know that he 
did. 

Mag. Bah ! 

O'Brian. Now if you tell me all ye know, I may 
be able to help you out. 

Mag. (Crosses to him. Touching the handcuffs) 
Ah t'ink you got too much troubles yourself to help 
me. 

O'Brian. Why do you want to protect Hamner? 
He didn't treat you right. 

Mag. He treat me all right till he see Rosa. 
Why you don't take Rosa away? 

O'Brian. I— I can't. 

Mag. Maybe you got another wife? 

O'Brian. No, that's not just the reason. 

Mag. If Joe see he don't get Rosa he come back 
to me. 

O'Brian. If he was in jail, he couldn't get Rosa, 
could he ? 

Mag. Then he couldn't get me too, eh ? . 

O'Brian. Mag, if you do just what I tell you 
there is a chance for you to get Hamner back again. 
Tell me how he got the gold. 

Mag. He don't give it to me, niah friend in the 
States he give- 



82 THE ROYAL; MOUNTED. 

O'Brian. I'rxkL:thitikin' :1 to, name's the Great 
Northern Railroad. -; 

Mag. Mon Dieu ! You think I steal ? 

O'Brian. I see you know what I'm talking 
about. 

Mag. No, Ah don't, Ah don't know where Joe 
get it. 
,; O'Brian.: Then Joe did give it to you? 

Mag. Bah! I t'ink you pretty good policeman. 
Maybe if Joe get Rosa, you marry me, eh? 

O'Brian. Now, Miss Mag, you stick to Hamner 
because when we get through with him he'll be glad 
to marry you and live; like a lamb the rest of his 
days. 

Mag. Oh, I like you — an' Ah tell you something. 
De men at de gorge mad like de liable, dey coming 
up here to get Sam. 
« Radley. Umph — that's a good joke 

O'Brian. I hope you'll enjoy it. Maybe you've 
never seen a crowd of lumberjacks get good an' 
triad, ::(Tq Mag ) Is Hamner coming with them? 

Mag. No, he don't fight the Mounted, he come 
after. 

O'Brian. Oh, I see, just to see if they've got me 
decently laid out. Now, I've got an idea way in- 
side my head. Corporal, after the men go, if you're 
still alive, be ready to arrest Hamner. 

Radley. What for ? 

O'Brian. For the murder of Jed Brown. 
. Mag. - No, he ain't kill him. 

Radley. Hamner didn't kill Jed Brown— Larra- 
bee confessed. 

, ; ; O'Brian. Corporal, if you begin to think, you'll 
spoil everything. Who said Hamner killed Jed 
Brown? 
.: Radley. r You said— — - 

O'Brian. Sure I said arrest him for the mur- 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 83 

der— I never said that he did it. But I want him to 
think that I think he did it. Now, can ye get that 
through your skull ? Mr. Hickey, I may be able to 
get Snake Butler for ye after all. (Voices heard 
off up »L.J 

Hickey. Look out, here come the men. 

O'Brian. Now, Miss Mag, if ye ever want 
to get Hamner out whole — don't say a word. 
Wait in the bushes until he comes. (Exit Mag 

L.2) 

Radley. We'll have to fight for it. 

O'Brian. I can't fight with these things on my 
hands. 

Radley. It'll take all three of us. Will you give 
me your parole ? 

O'Brian. I'll give ye anything ye want. 

(Entrance of men. They come down the run. An- 
toine appearing first and calling for others — 
then comes down, meets Radley c. and swings 
axe for blow. Radley and Htckey raise their 
guns — Long Jack second with "cant dog/' 
Eastern crosses with "cant dog/' Antoine and 
Louis with axes — Rosa, in the middle, comes 
dozvn r.) 

Antoine. (Calling) Boys, here dey are — Sacre ! 
Bah gar ! You think you fool us an' tak' Sam away. 
Bah Jimminey Dieu — I goin' to splect you in two 
halves, ain't it? 

Radley. Don't get too near with that thing, An- 
toine. 

Rosa. Give Sam back to us — or we'll take 
him 

Long Jack. Rosa, you'd better let us do the 
talking. (^Antotne steps back up run half-way* To 
Radley ,) You made a little mite of a mistake 



84 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

when you tried to put up a game like that on Rus- 
sell's No. 13. 

Radley. You men had better get back to your 
logs, you're dealing with the Mounted now. 

Eastern. We're dealin' with a couple of de- 
ceivin' pups, and I reckon we ain't goin' to deal 
gentle, so give up our man peaceable like or you'll 
see hell uncorked right here. 

Radley. (His hand on the hilt of his gun) Go 
ahead and uncork. 

Eastern. (In front of Radley — his cant-dog 
ready) You want it, do you ? 

O'Brian. (Coming quickly up with hand raised 
to stop a general run up) Boys, Sam isn't 
here. 

Rosa. What have you done with hun? 

O'Brian. Sure, if ye must know, he gave us the 
slip and he's gone. Gone! Now, clear out, the lot 
of you ! 

Rosa. Free. (To O'Brian) Did he get away 
did you set him free ? 

Radley. He let him go— — 

Rosa. You let him go- 



Radley. Yes, but he's going to 

O'Brian. That'll do, Corporal. 

Rosa. (Crossing to O'Brian. Almost shouting) 
How come you to set him free? 

O'Brian. (Looking at Rosa,) Because what he 
did was right. 

(PICTURE) 

Long Jack. Gosh ! I guess we came to the 
wrong camp for a roughhouse. fRosA is R., O'Brian 
l., men c. Rosa sinks down on a log r. and buries 
her face in her hands, O'Brian zvatching her. He 
steps down from the log) 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 85 

O'Brian. Thanks. Now, boys, you mustn't for- 
get the logs waiting for you at the gorge. 

Antoine. (Starting up the trail, followed by 
LouisJ Ah forgot it de logs was waitin'. 

Jack. Rosa, ain't you comin' back with us? 

Rosa. No — I 

Antoine. You're all right, Irish, you're all right. 
Yes, Irish. She's all right. 

Long Jack. I guess ye are — I do' know though 
— yes, that's one thing I am sure of. (They exit 
with the Canucks, R.cJ 

Radley. Well, I don't see that anything so much 
has happened. 

O'Brian. Sure, it hasn't — not yet. Hamner's a 
cute o:e all right. Now T , you two men go back and 
find him. You'll not have far to go — when you see 
him — arrest him quietly for that murder, and fetch 
him along. 

Radley. And leave you here alone? Not 
much 

O'Brian. (With a glance at Rosa ) Sure I'll not 
be alone. 

Radley. (Takes out handcuffs ) But 

O'Brian. Corporal, if you've any kindness in ye 
at all, keep those out of sight until she goes. Man 
— this is the only chance I'll have to say good-bye — 
and I don't want her to know what's waitin' for me 
in Calgary 

Radley. Well, I'll take a chance. 

Htckey. T suppose you know what you're 
doing, but I'm damned if I do. (Exit Rad- 
ley and Hickey. O'Brian crosses to Rosa up 
run r.) 

O'BRIAN. Rosa — Sam will be waiting for you at 
the outlet of big Burnt Lake — but be sure no one 
sees ye go to him. 

ROSA. What made ye set him free? 



86 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

O'Brian. Well, I just did what I felt was right 
even though I knew it was wrong—- — 

Rosa. But what does it mean to you? 

O'Brian. Sure, it means I can look at the man 
I always see when I'm shaving — and not call him a 
blackguard. 

Rosa. I mean — what will you tell them — at Cal- 
gary? 

O'Brian. Oh — Calgary, is it? Now, don't worry 
your pretty head about it ! I'll tell the Major all 
about it — and — sure he loves a joke — I can see him 
smile now — when I tell him. FaiA, he'll laugh him- 
self to death about it ! 

Rosa. You can't do what you've done — without 
paying a price. I know that. 

O'Brian. 'Tis the price of happiness I'm pay- 
ing — for I haven't been so happy — since yesterday 
— when ye told m° — that ye loved me. 

Rosa. Doesn't trrs mean orison for you? 

O'Brian. I suppose there'll be a bit of a time in 
prison — a few years — ad thev'll be the happiest 
time I ever had — if you'll be waiting for me to come 
ou f . 

Rosa. (Look'ng at him) And you can forget 
what I said — yesterday? 

O'Brian. Sweetheart, there is o"ly one tiling ye 
said yesterday that I can remember — and that's been 
ringin' in my ears like a whole chime of wedding 
bells. 

Rosa. (Rising and giving him her hand) Then 
remember this, too — when you m back — f o pay for 
what vou've done — for us — I'll be waiting — and 
cov*~ti~gr everv dav until von can come to me. 

O'Brtan. Rosa — darlin' — sure I wish it was 
burnt aHve I was groin^ to be so I could feel I was 
pavine the worth of that vou're eivine me. 

Rosa. You'll come as soon as you can ? 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 87 

O^RiANi As soon as I can fRo&A. in his 

arms) Good-bye, dear— - — (Leading her r.) 
Now, don't ye worry about me 

Radley. (Outside) Straight ahead— 



(Enter Hickey and Radley, bringing in Hamner. 
Mag enters and Rosa stops back with her) 

O'Brian. Ah, here we are, I was right — ye 
hadn't far to go. 

Hamner. Say, Kelway — or O'Brian — or what- 
ever your name is row — what's all this truck about 
my being mixed up in the Jed Brown business ? 

O'Brian. Only that ye killed him. Why do you 
ask ? 

Hamner. You'll have a nice time proviV. that, 

O'Brian. Why, Joseph, ye surely do^'t think I 
let Sam go without having good proof that some- 
one else did it? 

Hamner. Oh, I guess I'll stand pat. 

O'Brian. Ye'll stand pat on the scaffold— if ye 
don't look out. Also, ye'll have to explain where 
ye got that gold piece you gave Mag. 

Hamner. I d : dn't give Mag any gold. 

O'Brian. She says you did. 

Hamner. (To Mag) Did you blow? 

Mag. Yes, I did — Ah fix it fo you don't get 
Rosa. 

O'Brian. Now, Joseph, don't lose your temper: 
Did you know the gold piece you gave Mag was 
stolen from the Great Northern Railroad ? 

Hamner. I suppose each piece was named, feh? 

0'Brtan. Yes, this one's name was Jummv. 
They're the new issue, Joe, and Snake Butler got 
the only ones that came to this part of the country. 

Hamner. Who's Snake Butler? 

O'Brian. He's a gentleman Mr. Hickey has 



88 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

been trying to connect with for some time. Now, 
Joe, where did you get that gold? Mag, where did 
he get it? 

Mag. Ah don't know but he's got more. 

O'Brian. Where? 

Mag. In a belt on him — now you don't get Rosa. 

O'Brian. Wait a minute, Joe, your turn's com- 
ing. You were up here when Jed Brown was killed. 

Hamner. And I saw Sam Larrabee kill him. 

O'Brian. Forgive me if I hurt ye, Joseph, but 
I don't believe ye. 
. Hamner. Rosa saw it, too. 

O'Brian. Now, that's very peculiar, for after 
talkirg it over carefully we find that both Rosa 
and Sam saw you shoot Jed Brown. 

Rosa. No, I ^O'Brian motions her to si- 
lence) 

Hamner. Saw me, why should / shoot Jed 
Brown ? 

O'Brian. I'll tell ye, Joe, if you'll not let it go 
any farther. Ye shot him to get that belt that Mag 
says yer're wearin'. 

Hamner. That's a lie. 

O'Brian. Maybe, Joseph, I'm not saying not, 
but it sounds so much like the truth that it's liable 
to hang ye. Take it off him, boys. 

Radley. Put 'em up. 

O'Brian. Now, Mr. Hickey, I think ye'll find 
something that'll surprise you. 

Hickey. The mo^ey Snake Butler stole from 
the Great Northern Railroad ! 

Radley. O'Brian, you'll have company going 
into Calgary. 

O'Brian. Hamner and I'll both do you credit, 
Corporal. But you give me a minute more, will ye? 
(Impressively) I've just caught the tail of an idea 
that — oh — me precious jewel of a detective — it's 



THE ROYAL MOUNTED 89 

been right under our noses and we never smelt it 

Radlev. Well, hurry it up. 

O'Brian. Joe, this is an unpleasantly tight place 
we're in, and it looks as though we'll both go to jail, 
but I have a nose on me that smells hope for the 
two of us. Tell me how that Snake Butler loot 
came to be on Jed Brown. 

Hamner. Will you get me out of it if I answer 
you? 

O'Brian. Mr. Hickey, will you give this man 
immunitv if he leads vou to the capture of Snake 
Butler ? 

Hickey. You bet I will. 

O'Brian. And if I get you out, will you be good 
to Mag? 

Hamner. Yes. 

O'Brian. Now answer square — after the ex- 
press robbery, Snake Butler came up here and paid 
you for hiding him, didn't he ? 

Hamner. Yes. 

Radley. Then, where did he go ? 

O'Brian. Ah, my boy, that's the cream of the 
joke. He stayed right here — and took the name 

of — of Come, Radley, even you must see it 

now — he took the name of — ■ — 

Radley and Hickey. Jed Brown ! 

O'Brian. Good for you, Corporal. You saw it 
as soon as he did. Jed Brown was Snake Butler 
and Joe here will prove that fact for us and save his 
own skin — won't you, Joe? 

Hamner. Guess I'll have to. 

O'Brian. Good! Then I'll admit between our- 
selves that ye didn't kill anyone. 

RADLEY. Hold on, you're going too fast for me. 

O'Brian. Sam Larrabee is entitled to the United 
States government's reward for killing Snake But- 
ler, isn't he? 



90 THE ROYAL MOUNTED 

Radley. I guess he is. 

O'Brian. That is — he killed a man with a price 
on his head, so he isn't a murderer, is he ? 

Radley. I suppose not. 

O'Brian. Then I can't be held for lettin' a mur- 
derer go, can I ? 

Radley. No. 

O'Brian. Then I'll take charge again, Corporal, 
and the first thing I'll do is to order you to clear 
out and leave me alone for a moment. 

Radley. Come on, we'll look for more of the 
stufT. 

(WARNING) 

O'Brian. You'll get your Sergeancy and Mr. 
Hickey can have the blood money. (They start off ) 

Hamner. O'Brian, if I could have jailed you 
without hangin' myself I'd 'a' done it. (Starts 

O'Brian. Thank ye very much, Joe — Joe, you've 
forgotten something. 

Hamner. (Stops, feels his pocket, then notices 
Mag) Eh ? Oh, come on, Mag. (Exits r ) 

Rosa. I — I hardly know what's happened. 

O'Brian. Well, darlin' — it comes down to this 
—would ye rather be married in Calgary — or from 
old Castle O'Brian? 

CURTAIN 



JUST PUBLISHED 

Nothing But the Truth 

A Farcical Comedy in Three Acts 

By 

James Montgomery 

Cast of Characters 

Bob Bennett 

B. M. Ralston 

Clarence Van Dusen 

Bishop Doran 

Dick Donnelly 

Gwen 

Mrs. Ralston 

Ethel 

Mable 

Sable 

Martha 

SCENES 

ACT 1. A Broker's Office 

ACT 2. Parlor of a Country Home 

ACT 3. " " " " 

TIME: The Present 

"Nothing" But the Truth" is built upon the simple idea 
of its hero speaking nothing- but the absolute truth for a 
stated period. He bets a friend ten thousand dollars 
that he can do it, and boldly tackles truth to win the 
money. For a very short time the task is placidly easy, 
but Truth routs out old man Trouble and then things be- 
g-in to happen. Trouble doesn't seem very large and 
aggressive when he first pokes his nose into the noble 
resolve of our hero, but he grows rapidly and soon we 
see our dealer in truth disrupting the domestic relations 
of his partner. In fact, Trouble works overtime, and 
reputations that have been unblemished are smirched. 
Situations that are absurd and complications almost 
knotted, pile up, all credited to Truth, and the result of 
the wager to foster and cherish that great virtue from 
the lips of the man who has espoused the cause of truth 
to win a wager. 

It is a novel idea and so well has it been worked out 
that an audience is kept in throes of laughter at the 
seemingly impossible task to untangle snarls into which 
our hero has involved all those he comes into contact 
With. It is a clean bright farce of well drawn characters 
and was built for laughing purposes only. 

William Collier played "Nothing But the Truth" for a 
year at the Longacre Theatre, New York, and it lias been 
on tour for over two seasons. 

After three years continuous success on the profess- 
ional stage we are now offering "Nothing But the Truth" 
for amateur production. It is one of the funniest and 
brightest farces ever written, and it is admirably suited 
to amateur production. 

Price 6o Cents 






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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 





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